Fee Split Misconduct Alleged

An attorney who was retained to pursue a habeas corpus petition improperly split the $5,000 fee with another attorney, according to a complaint filed by the Illinois Administrator.

Respondent…entered into an  agreement with attorney Susan Burger (“Burger”) in which Burger would be  responsible for the drafting of the habeas corpus petition, and Respondent would  be responsible for prosecution of the petition in court. Respondent paid Burger  $2,500 of the $5,000 fee Respondent had received from Lavanda.

At no time did Respondent inform [client] Aldridge of the  fee-splitting arrangement with Burger, and Aldridge never agreed to the  fee-splitting arrangement, in writing or otherwise.

It is further alleged that the attorney paid $1,200 to a paralegal and falsely represented ghis efforts to the client. (Mike Frisch)