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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 January 22, 2010 10:00 am LAWYER DISCIPLINARY ORDERS INFORMATION RELEASE The Supreme Court of Illinois on January 21, 2010, 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 attached list contains 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. The announcement of the orders may be reviewed at the Supreme Court of Illinois website: www.state.il.us/court. Unless otherwise noted, the mandate of discipline issued immediately. 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 approximately 88,000 attorneys in Illinois. Yearly fees are imposed on most Illinois lawyers 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 Jerome Larkin. For additional information concerning these disciplinary orders contact: James J. Grogan, Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, Chicago. 312.565.2600 or 800.826.8625
The ARDC Website is:
www.iardc.org
In re FRANK
ANGARONE,
Attorney Number
56596 File Information: M.R. 23528, 2009 PR 00024 Mr. Angarone, who was licensed in 1977, was censured. He engaged in the unauthorized practice of law when he handled a number of different legal matters on behalf of clients, primarily residential real estate closings, after his name had been removed from the Master Roll for failing to register.
In
re ANN MAUREEN
DAY,
Attorney
Number 6201094 File Information: M.R. 23573, 2005 PR 00050 Ms. Day, who was licensed in 1989, was disbarred on consent. She was convicted in state court on charges of forgery and theft. The conviction was based on her having defrauded her former law partner by intercepting checks due to the law partnership and using the checks' proceeds for herself, or by drawing checks on the firm's accounts without her partner's knowledge. The total amount she took from the firm exceeded $137,000.
In
re DEAN ALAN
DeJONG,
Attorney Number
6194410 File Information: M.R. 23536, 2009 PR 00041 Mr. DeJong, who was licensed in 1986, was suspended for thirty days. He engaged in the unauthorized practice of law when he handled a number of different legal matters on behalf of clients, including multiple court appearances, after his name had been removed from the Master Roll for failing to register. The suspension is effective on February 11, 2010.
In re ANTHONY A.
DEMASI,
Attorney Number
6273692 Mr. Demasi, who was licensed in 2001, was disbarred. For several years, he operated a commodity trading pool. At some point, he began telling potential investors that the pool was profitable when, in fact, it had lost money and was closed. He induced at least 108 investors to give him more than $16,000,000 for the purpose of trading financial futures. Instead of using the funds he received for legitimate investments, he used the proceeds for personal purposes.
In re HERB N.
ELESH,
Attorney Number
6237019 File Information: M.R. 23399, 2008 PR 00009 Mr. Elesh, who was licensed in 1996, was suspended for three months and until he successfully completes a course offered by the Illinois Professional Responsibility Institute. He neglected a divorce case and an immigration matter. The suspension is effective on February 11, 2010.
In re DONALD
WAYNE GARLINGER, File Information: M.R. 23466, 2009 PR 00029 Mr. Garlinger, who was licensed in 1962, was suspended for six months. He neglected litigation involving a contract dispute and made misrepresentations to the client about the status of the matter for over twenty-seven years. The suspension is effective on February 11, 2010.
In re PHILIP
ANDREW IGOE,
Attorney Number
1300466 Mr. Igoe, who was licensed in 1977, was suspended for six months. He failed to diligently pursue a proceeding for disbursement of surplus funds arising from a foreclosure sale. He also was not candid to a judge and to his client regarding the proceeding, and he notarized, and filed with the court, an affidavit with a false date in connection with the matter. The suspension is effective on February 11, 2010.
In re FRANK
EUGENE JEFFERS,
III,
Attorney Number
1330195 File Information: M.R. 23537, 2008 PR 00103 Mr. Jeffers, who was licensed in 1977, was censured and was directed to attend the professionalism seminar of the Illinois Professional Responsibility Institute. He represented both the buyer and the seller at a house closing, without advising either party that the representation created a conflict of interest.
In re CRAIG
JUSTIN KATZ,
Attorney Number
6180929 File Information: M.R. 23401, 2005 PR 00028 Mr. Katz, who was licensed in 1981, was suspended for fifteen months and until he pays certain restitution. During a previous period of suspension from the practice of law for misconduct, he accepted a fee to represent a client. He also neglected a client matter, failed to keep his client informed of the status of the client’s legal case and failed to promptly return unearned fees to his client. The suspension is effective on February 11, 2010.
In re CLARA L.
LARRY,
Attorney Number
6194682
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