Illinois Sanctions Attorneys

The Illinois Supreme Court has released summaries of recent decisions in a bar discipline cases.

High (or low) lights

Ms. Hale was licensed in Nevada in 2000 and in Illinois in 2013. Nevada disciplinary authorities publicly reprimanded her for a conflict of interest arising from her personal relationship with a physician she employed as an expert in three personal injury cases and for paying that physician for services from her trust account even though she did not have the appropriate clients' funds in the account. The Supreme Court of Illinois suspended Ms. Hale for 30 days in light of her two prior instances of reciprocal discipline in Illinois. The suspension is effective on June 13, 2024.

Mr. Goldblatt was licensed in California in 1979 and in Illinois in 1980. The Supreme Court of California suspended him for one year, with the suspension stayed after 120 days by an eight- month term of probation after he was convicted of creating a public nuisance and using offensive words. Mr. Goldblatt was arrested for masturbating in his yard in view of a neighbor. Because Mr. Goldblatt is currently suspended from the practice of law in Illinois for prior misconduct, the Supreme Court of Illinois imposed reciprocal discipline and required him to demonstrate that he has successfully completed the terms of his California probation before seeking reinstatement to the practice of law in Illinois.

Mr. Caraway, who was licensed in 2007, was disbarred. He misappropriated more than $375,000 belonging to six different clients, including funds that were to be used for the benefit of a disabled adult and minor children. He also failed to refund a $3,500 unearned fee and made misrepresentations to a client in a separate breach of contract matter.

Mr. Zaba, who was licensed in 2010, was suspended for 60 days. He incorporated a mortgage company in 2015, which required him to submit annual financial statements to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. For the years 2017 through 2022, he submitted financial statements that he falsely claimed had been prepared or audited by an accountant. The suspension is effective on June 13, 2024.

Mr. Kehoskie, who was licensed in 2006, was suspended for six months, with the suspension stayed in its entirety by a two-year period of conditional probation. Between 2015 and 2019, Mr. Kehoskie was involved in three incidents in which he was charged with domestic battery and other offenses. One of the criminal charges was dismissed after completion of a diversion program. In the other two matters, Mr. Kehoskie pled guilty to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct and was placed on probation.

Mr. Azhari, who was licensed in 2007, was censured by the Court. He represented a client who was charged with telephone harassment in a criminal case and, while the representation was ongoing, he engaged in a sexual relationship with the client.

Mr. Messner, who was licensed in 1978, was disbarred. Over a period of more than five years, he assisted his corporate client and its owner in committing tax fraud by hiding his clients’ taxable income from taxing authorities. He also hid his clients’ income from the attorney who represented the client’s wife in the owner’s ongoing dissolution of marriage case.

(Mike Frisch)