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NEW FILINGS,
HEARING SCHEDULES AND CLERK'S OFFICE Recent Disciplinary Decisions from Supreme Court | Recently Filed Complaints and Reports | Announcements | Schedule of Hearings | Clerk’s Office Services ANNOUNCEMENT OF DISCIPLINARY DECISIONS Monday, May 23, 2005 10:00 A.M. LAWYER DISCIPLINARY ORDERS INFORMATION RELEASE The Supreme Court of Illinois on Thursday May 19, 2005 and Friday May 20, 2005, announced the filing of disciplinary orders involving a number of licensed lawyers. Sanctions were imposed because the lawyers engaged in professional misconduct by violating state ethics law. The name of each disciplined lawyer, the address at which the lawyer last practiced, and a brief summary of the misconduct that led to the sanction, is attached. The announcement of the orders may be reviewed at the Supreme Court of Illinois website: www.state.il.us/court. The Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC), an Illinois Supreme Court agency, investigates alleged wrongdoing by Illinois attorneys, holds hearings on specific charges, and recommends discipline where warranted. The Supreme Court is, however, the only authority that can discipline lawyers for misconduct. The Supreme Court generally announces lawyer sanction orders during each formal term of Court. The Court convenes in term every January, March, May, September and November. There are over 80,000 attorneys in Illinois. A yearly fee of $229 is imposed on Illinois lawyers and helps to fund the ARDC. There are no tax dollars used to support the disciplinary system. The ARDC is composed of seven members, three of whom are non-lawyers. Attorney Benedict Schwarz II is the Commission Chairman. The ARDC Administrator is Mary Robinson. For additional information concerning these disciplinary orders contact: James J. Grogan, Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, Chicago. 312-565-2600 or 1-800-826-8625 In re VICTOR PARRA ARMENDARIZ, Attorney Number 61977021700 South First Avenue Maywood, Illinois 60153-2403 File information: M.R. 20157, 04 CH 103 Mr. Armendariz, who was licensed in 1988, was suspended for ninety days. He neglected a client matter and negotiated an agreement to settle a potential legal malpractice claim with the client without first advising him in writing to seek independent representation. The suspension is effective on June 10, 2005. In re ROBERT P. AULSTON III, Attorney
Number 6230608 Detroit, Michigan 48226-4397 File Information: M.R. 20113, 04 CH 74 Mr. Aulston, who was licensed in Illinois in 1995, was suspended for three years and until further order of the Court. He concealed his previous disciplinary history, including a disbarment in Louisiana, on two applications for admission to practice law, one in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and the other in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, where he also failed to disclose discipline imposed in Illinois in 2002 and where he was held in criminal contempt due to the dishonest application. He also engaged in the unauthorized practice of law in Michigan. In re DAVID MARK
BAGDADE, Attorney Number 6202524 File information: M.R. 19982, 03 CH 60 Mr. Bagdade, who was licensed in 1989, was disbarred. He neglected a federal civil rights matter, provided false information in a certificate of service, failed to return client files after being discharged, falsified a pro hac vice application and testified falsely in a disciplinary proceeding before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. He was suspended on an interim basis on November 24, 2004 and did not participate in the state disciplinary proceeding. In re JENNIFER LYNN BERMAN, Attorney
Number 6224923 Chicago, Illinois 60606 File Information: M.R. 20133, 04 CH 121 Ms. Berman, who was licensed in 1994, was suspended for sixty days. While employed as a human resources consultant with a business-consulting firm, she fabricated attendance sheets that misrepresented the number of attendees at her employer’s training seminars. Those sheets were later submitted to a state agency in support of her employer’s requests for payment for those seminars where the payment depended upon the number of attendees. The suspension is effective on June 10, 2005. In re ROGER JAMES
BREJCHA, Attorney Number 288322 File information: M.R. 20111, 04 CH 42 Mr. Brejcha, who was licensed in 1970, was suspended for thirty days. He engaged in a conflict of interest when he purchased the property of his former client and rented it back to her. He subsequently initiated eviction proceedings against the client for failure to pay rent. The suspension is effective on June 10, 2005. In re PEPE J.
COLÓN, Attorney Number 6206294 File Number: M.R. 20094, 03 CH 121 Mr. Colón, who was licensed in 1991, was disbarred. In connection with four separate real estate transactions, he represented conflicting interests, engaged in improper business transactions with his clients, misappropriated funds intended for his clients or third parties, and committed a criminal act by submitting false mortgage loan applications. In re ALAN JEROME
FEDER, Attorney Number 780561 File information: M.R. 20139, 04 CH 93 Mr. Feder, who was licensed in 1958, was censured. He neglected a client’s civil case, resulting in a default judgment against the client. His client’s wages were garnished in order to satisfy the judgment. In re MICHAEL R.
FELDMAN, Attorney Number 3125053 File information: M.R. 19684, 03 CH 23 Mr. Feldman, who was licensed in 1979, was disbarred. He wrote letters to members of the judiciary in which he falsely impugned their integrity and qualifications to serve in office. He was suspended on an interim basis on November 5, 2004. In re EDWIN
ALBERT GAUSSELIN, III, File Number: M.R. 20064, 04 CH 123 Mr. Gausselin, who was licensed in 1991, was suspended for ninety days. He had a limited role in a scheme to defraud and obtain money and property from third-party mortgage holders. He was charged with mail fraud in federal court, pled guilty, and was sentenced to three years of probation, the payment of a $10,000 fine and $6,371.60 in restitution, 100 hours of community service and other special conditions. The suspension is effective on June 9, 2005. In re ALEXANDER GOLDMAN, Attorney
Number 6271011 Skokie, Illinois 60077-1856 File Information: M.R. 20176, 04 CH 92 Mr. Goldman, who was licensed in 1999, was suspended for three years and until further order of the Court. He neglected client cases, made misrepresentations to clients, failed to return unearned fees, pled guilty to the criminal charge of forgery, made a statement of material fact to a tribunal which was false, made false statements in connection with an attorney disciplinary matter, and failed to cooperate with the disciplinary authority. In re ANTHONY
NICKOLAS HARMON, File information: M.R. 20115, 04 CH 18 Mr. Harmon, who was licensed in 1999, was suspended for three years. In 2003, while stationed in Wisconsin as a Captain in the United States Army, he forged two other Army officers' signatures on letters he fabricated in order to avoid a speeding ticket and to encourage a lender to refinance his mortgage. The first of those letters urged the traffic court to dismiss his ticket by falsely claiming that Mr. Harmon had been deployed to Iraq on a mission that was critical to national security. The second letter contained an improper threat to report the lender to the United States Attorney if it made an adverse credit determination against Mr. Harmon. The suspension is effective on June 10, 2005. In re K. O. JOHNSON, Attorney Number
6237386 De Kalb, Illinois 60115-2380 File Information: M.R. 20177, 04 CH 41 Mr. Johnson, who was licensed in 1996, was censured and required to complete the Professionalism Seminar conducted by the Illinois Professional Responsibility Institute. He failed to promptly refund an unearned fee and harassed the wife of an opposing attorney. In re MARK
DOUGLAS JOHNSON, Attorney Number 6211585 File information: M.R. 20070, 04 SH 19 Mr. Johnson, who was licensed in 1993, was suspended for 45 days, ordered to pay certain restitution, and required to complete the Professionalism Seminar conducted by the Illinois Professional Responsibility Institute. He paid an employee of the McLean County Circuit Court to provide him with copies of bond information about people charged with DUI and other offenses, and then used the information to send solicitation letters to those people. Based on that conduct, Mr. Johnson pleaded guilty to a charge of solicitation to commit official misconduct, and he was sentenced to conditional discharge, ordered to pay a fine and perform community service. The suspension is effective on June 10, 2005. In re VINCENT R. JONES, Attorney Number
6200386 Matteson, Illinois 60443-1915 File Number: M.R. 20138, 04 CH 32 Mr. Jones, who was licensed in 1989, was suspended for three years and until further order of the Court. He neglected twenty cases relating to eighteen clients, made false statements to his clients regarding the status of their legal matters, failed to return unearned fees, made a false statement to a tribunal, and failed to cooperate with the disciplinary authority. In re RAYMOND W. KONAN, Attorney Number
1505955 Vienna, Virginia 22180-7035 File Information: M.R. 20127, 05 RC 1503 Mr. Konan was licensed in Illinois in 1970 and in Virginia in 1995. The Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board revoked his license to practice law for misconduct involving incompetence, vexatious litigation and dishonesty. The Illinois Supreme Court imposed reciprocal discipline and disbarred him. In re CHARLES
OWEN LIPKA, Attorney Number 6203231 File Information: M.R. 20078, 03 CH 35 Mr. Lipka, who was licensed in 1990, was suspended for two years and until further order of the Court. He neglected three client matters, made misrepresentations to the clients regarding the status of their cases and failed to refund an unearned retainer. He also entered into an improper business transaction with one of the clients and failed to deliver funds being held for another client. He was suspended on an interim basis on February 18, 2005. In re SALVATORE CHARLES MIGLORE, 300 South Carlton Avenue, Suite 130 Wheaton, Illinois 60187-4894 File information: M.R. 20107, 01 CH 68 Mr. Miglore, who was licensed in 1981, was suspended for six months, with all but the first two months stayed by probation with conditions for sixteen months. He made unauthorized fee disbursements to his firm from an estate he was representing. The suspension is effective on June 10, 2005. In re FRED MICHAEL MORELLI, JR., Attorney Number 1957139 403 West Galena Boulevard, Aurora, Illinois 60507-1416 File information: M.R. 20136, 01 CH 120 Mr. Morelli, who was licensed in 1966, was suspended for thirty days. He engaged in a conflict of interest and communicated with a party in a criminal matter who he knew was represented by another lawyer, against that lawyer’s expressed wishes. The suspension is effective on June 10, 2005. In re PHILIP
ROBERT NATHE, Attorney Number 6197326 File Information, M.R. 20076, 02 CH 60 Mr. Nathe, who was licensed in 1988, was reprimanded. He represented a closely held corporation owned by a husband and wife in collection matters. While representing the corporation, he entered into a sexual relationship with the wife. In re PAULA McKEMIE NEWCOMB, Attorney
Number 6201696 Benton, Illinois 62812-0753 File Information: M. R.20087, 04 SH 20 Ms. Newcomb, who was licensed in 1989, was suspended for eighteen months with the suspension stayed after ninety days by a fifteen-month period of probation with conditions. She neglected four client matters, failed to communicate with her clients, and made false representations to one client. She also provided false information to the disciplinary authority. The suspension is effective on June 10, 2005. In re DAVID
THOMAS ODOM, Attorney Number 6211444 File Information: M.R. 19772, 01 CH 69 Mr. Odom, who was licensed in 1992, was suspended for nine months. He converted client settlement funds, made false statements regarding the receipt of the funds, did not obtain a client's written consent to a division of legal fees, and engaged in the unauthorized practice of law in Michigan. The suspension is effective on June 9, 2005. In re THEODORE
OLSON, Attorney Number 2108178 File Information: M.R. 20175, 04 CH 110 Mr. Olson, who was licensed in 1958, was suspended for two years and until he makes certain restitution. He borrowed over $200,000 in unsecured loans from clients. The suspension is effective on June 10, 2005. In re RICHARD R. ROTHMAN, Attorney
Number 6209899 Chicago, Illinois 60606-3429 File information: M.R. 20128, 02 CH 87 Mr. Rothman, who was licensed in 1992, was disbarred. He continued to practice law during an earlier suspension and struck another attorney as they were leaving a courtroom. He was suspended on an interim basis on January 8, 2003. In re SERGE ROYTENBERG, Attorney Number
6231251 Skokie, Illinois 60077-1862 File Information: M.R. 20155, 04 CH 48 Mr. Roytenberg, who was licensed to practice in 1996, was disbarred. He abandoned his law practice. He also converted client funds, neglected client matters, failed to communicate with his clients or to return their files, failed to refund an unearned fee, and failed to cooperate in his disciplinary proceeding. In re ROBERT M.
SALZMAN, Attorney Number 2447185 File information: M.R. 20185, 04 CH 109 Mr. Salzman, who was licensed in 1969, was disbarred on consent. He misappropriated over $57,000 in client funds and neglected four separate client matters. He was previously suspended effective April 8, 2005, for unrelated misconduct. In re KEITH JAY SCHNEIDER, Attorney
Number 6186670 Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004-5254 File Information: M.R. 20178, 05 DC 1001 Mr. Schneider, who was licensed in 1984, was disbarred on consent. He misappropriated over $400,000 in funds from numerous clients. In re ROBERT
V. SHUFF, Jr., Attorney Number 2594285 File information: M.R. 20108, 04 SH 50 Mr. Shuff, who was licensed in 1977, was suspended for six months and until further order of the Court effective September 12, 2005. He was also ordered to make certain restitution. He neglected two client matters, converted $200 in filing fees, was not candid to his client about the status of her case, and failed to refund an unearned fee. The suspension is consecutive to an existing 18-month suspension imposed against him for unrelated misconduct. In re JOAN F. SORENSEN, Attorney Number
3125202 Chicago, Illinois 60610-6259 File information: M.R. 20117, 01 CH 58 Ms. Sorensen, who was licensed in 1979, was censured. She advanced funeral expenses to two clients in connection with contemplated or pending tort litigation In re DANIEL
MICHALCZYK STARR, Attorney Number 3122534 File information: M.R. 20008, 00 CH 70 Mr. Starr, who was licensed in 1978, was suspended for six months. He engaged in misconduct in connection with a client in a real property dispute. The suspension is effective on June 10, 2005. In re PATRICK
JOSEPH SULLIVAN, File information: M.R. 20142, 04 CH 27 Mr. Sullivan, who was licensed in 1997, was suspended for two years and until further order of the Court. He misappropriated more than $7,000 of a client’s personal injury judgment. He also neglected six client matters and made false representations to the clients, his supervisors and others about the status of those matters. In re FRANCIS
RAYMOND VAN HOOREWEGHE, File information: M.R. 19989, 03 SH 6 Mr. Van Hooreweghe, who was licensed in 1967, was suspended for sixty days. He used the name of another attorney, without that attorney’s authorization, to file pleadings in Iowa, where he was not licensed. In one case, he forged the attorney’s signature on a proof of service, had it notarized, and presented it to the Iowa Industrial Commission. The suspension is effective on June 9, 2005. In re HOWARD
LAWRENCE WARD, Attorney Number 2939223 File information: M.R. 20110, 04 CH 98 Mr. Ward, who was licensed in 1973, was censured and required to complete the Professionalism Seminar conducted by the Illinois Professional Responsibility Institute. He neglected a breach of contract suit, and he signed his client’s name, without authority, to answers to interrogatories in a dissolution of marriage case, after having his secretary notarize the document in blank. In re ALBERT
SHAWE WATKINS, Attorney Number 6193779 File information: M.R. 20114, 05 RC 1502Mr. Watkins was admitted in Missouri in 1985 and in Illinois the following year. Missouri reprimanded him for a conflict of interest when he, having been retained to represent a company in litigation, also undertook to represent an employee of that company in connection with an arrest, without making appropriate conflict disclosures to, or seeking waivers from, each client. He then made unauthorized disclosures of information he learned in connection with the representation of the employee to the company and to a regulatory agency. The Supreme Court of Illinois imposed reciprocal discipline and reprimanded him. In re G. ANDREW
WATSON,
Attorney Number 6184907 File information: M.R. 20082, 04 CH 67 Mr. Watson, who was licensed in 1983, was suspended for ninety days and ordered to complete the program offered by the Illinois Professional Responsibility Institute within six months of the Court’s final order of discipline. He neglected three bankruptcy matters, failed to refund unearned legal fees in two of the matters, and made unauthorized debits from a client’s bank account to withdraw his legal fees. In addition, he placed misleading advertisements for his bankruptcy services in the Chicago Sun Times and other media outlets stating that he was a bankruptcy attorney who had fifteen years of experience. In fact, he had only four years of bankruptcy law experience. The suspension is effective on June 10, 2005. In re PHILLIP LAWRENCE WEINBERG, Woodinville, Washington 98072-8570 File information: M.R. 20149, 05 RC 1504 Mr. Weinberg was licensed in Illinois in 1983 and in Washington in 1989. He was suspended for two years in Washington for neglecting client matters and failing to return unearned fees during a period in which his ability to practice law was impaired due to chemical dependency. The Supreme Court of Illinois imposed reciprocal discipline and suspended him for two years and until he is reinstated in Washington. The suspension is effective on June 10, 2005. The Following Disciplinary Orders Were Entered By The Court Before The May 2005 Term But Were Not Included In Any Previous Information Release In re ROBERT
BRUCE BECKER, Attorney Number 6215745 Peoria, Illinois 61604-2843 File Information: M.R. 20098, 05 SH 7 (Order entered on April 28, 2005) Mr. Becker, who was licensed in 1993, was suspended on an interim basis and until further order of the Court. He was convicted of predatory sexual assault of a child and criminal sexual assault. He was sentenced to serve a 14-year term in the Department of Corrections and was ordered to pay $1,822.79 in costs and fees. In re KEVIN
MICHAEL BRILL, Attorney Number 6182552 File information: M.R. 19973, 03 CH 85 (Order entered on March 30, 2005) Mr. Brill, who was licensed in 1982, was suspended on an interim basis and until further order of the Court. The ARDC Hearing Board recommended that he be suspended for thirty months and until further order of the Court for neglecting a client’s federal case and for continuing to practice law during a previous suspension. In re DON CARRILLO, Attorney Number
3122592 Chicago, Illinois 60661-1121 File Information: M.R. 19846, 02 CH 45. (Order entered on March 29, 2005). Mr. Carrillo, who was licensed in 1978, was suspended on an interim basis and until further order of the Court. A Hearing Board found that he took advantage of an elderly client’s vulnerability to take control of her assets and obtain a large portion of those assets for himself. It was also found that he charged the client unreasonable fees, including fees for work he did not actually perform, arranged for the sale of the client’s house to a friend, and that he arranged for the client to lend $12,000 to another of his clients. |