Corporation Must Have Counsel

The Illinois ARDC recently filed a complaint alleging that an attorney, among other things, allowed a corporate client to use his name as counsel in litigation that was being conducted pro se. It is alleged that “by allowing the client to prepare, file and sign [the lawyer’s] name to pleadings in relation to the trademark infringement matter [he] was aiding [the client] in circumventing the court’s licensing requirement.” The charge that the litigation was conducted by the client or someone acting at the client’s direction is set forth in detail in the complaint. The lawyer is also charged with dishonesty, signing pleadings without making reasonable inquiry into the factual contentions and making a false statement of material fact or law to a tribunal. (Mike Frisch)