Bar Complaint Leads To Bar Charges Against Complainant

An attorney who had filed a bar complaint against opposing counsel in a landlord-tenant matter violated ethical rules in so doing, according to a recent complaint filed by the Illinois Adminstrator.

The charged attorney had contended in the underlying matter that a lease had been forged. The bar complaint that forms the basis of the present matter alleged that the forger was opposing counsel.

According to the charges

 Respondent, by signing and forwarding to the  Administrator the request to investigate [opposing counsel] Wentz…presented disciplinary charges against Wentz in an attempt to obtain an  advantage (discovery and monetary assistance by requesting that the ARDC retain  a handwriting expert and obtain the transcript of the trial), in a civil  proceeding (appeal number 3-12-0975), and in an effort to discredit Wentz. In  the alternative, Respondent had no purpose other than to harass or needlessly  burden Wentz.

The attorney also is alleged to have failed to cooperate in the investigation. (Mike Frisch)