Blame Game

An Illinois Hearing Board recommends disbarment in a matter involving misappropriations from a host of clients

The allegations deemed admitted establish that Respondent dishonestly misappropriated almost $738,000 in 29 client matters, and failed to respond to the ARDC’s lawful demands for information in connection with its investigations regarding his conduct. By that conduct, Respondent violated Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15(a), 1.15(d), 8.1(b), and 8.4(c).

In aggravation, Respondent engaged in an extensive pattern of misconduct spanning several years and involving 29 separate matters in which he dishonestly misappropriated a staggering amount of client and/or third party funds; he was an experienced practitioner at the time of his misconduct; he harmed his clients by depriving them of funds to which they were entitled; he harmed the legal profession by causing his clients to lose trust in lawyers; rather than acknowledging and accepting responsibility for his wrongdoing, he blamed others, including his clients and former colleagues, for it, and showed no remorse whatsoever for the harm his misconduct caused; and he did not fully participate in or cooperate with the disciplinary process, in that he failed to file his answer to the Complaint and Rule 253 disclosures even after being given three extensions of time to do so.

The hearing board attached the Administrator's complaint. (Mike Frisch)