Illinois Bar: False Explanation For LSAT Score Got Applicant Into University Of Chicago Law School

The Illinois Administrator has charged an attorney with procuring admission to the University of Chicago Law School by false statements

In October, 2005, Respondent registered to take the Law School Admission Test (“LSAT”) but cancelled taking the test. In December, 2005, Respondent took the LSAT and scored 158. In September, 2006, Respondent retook the LSAT and scored 173.

In late 2005, Respondent applied for admission to the University of Chicago Law School, but was denied admission to the 2006 entering class.

On or about December 4, 2006, Respondent submitted a second application for admission to the juris doctor (“JD”) program at the University of Chicago Law School. The application requested that Respondent submit, among other things, a resume and candidate statement as part of the application process. Respondent submitted his personal statement and an addendum which purportedly addressed gaps in Respondent’s academic record.

In his personal statement addendum, Respondent stated that in 1999 he had been diagnosed with a leiomyosarcoma (a form of stomach cancer) that he had undergone four separate surgeries to have tumors removed from his stomach, as well as radiation therapy and what he referred to as “countless” minor procedures to stop gastric bleeding. Respondent stated that the disease delayed completion of his MA degree, stalled work in the McGill University Ph.D program, and forced his withdrawal from the University of Michigan, where he had taken courses as a visiting scholar toward completion of a doctoral degree.

In his personal statement addendum, Respondent further stated that although he had just undergone surgery in September, 2005 and was still receiving radiation therapy, he had sat for the October and December 2005 LSAT exams. Respondent explained that he was not healthy enough to have sat for the exams, but that in January, 2006, for the first time in six years, Respondent had been given a clean bill of health by his oncologist. As a result, he scored well on the LSAT, with a score of 173, and was finishing course work at the University of Michigan.

Respondent’s statements that he had been diagnosed with and received treatment for leiomyosarcoma were false.

Respondent knew the statements that he had been diagnosed with and received treatment for leimoyosarcoma were false because at no time prior to submission of his application to the law school had Respondent been diagnosed with or received treatment for leiomyosarcoma or any other cancer, did not have an illness that affected his LSAT performance, and did not take the LSAT exam in October, 2005.

At the time Respondent submitted the false information in his application for admission to the University of Chicago Law School, Respondent knew the information was false and intended to mislead the law school in order to advance his chances for admission to the Law School.

Based upon Respondent’s false application to the University of Chicago Law School, Respondent was admitted to the school. At no time prior to the time he commenced his studies or since completion of his studies at the Law School did Respondent amend his application to provide truthful information to the Law School.

The complaint also charges dishonesty in his bar admission (by failing to disclose the above), in two matters before courts and with false statements in connection with the bar investigation.

In one matter, he represented a plaintiff in federal court and it is alleged

On December 15, 2015, Respondent sent an email to Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Gerard Brost, who represented the defendants in the Sulemani case, describing Respondent’s intention to file a motion for an extension of time to complete fact discovery, stating in part the following:

“…I know we had a lengthy fact discovery period in this case to begin with but I have been away from the office for most of the 4 months dealing with a serious medical issue (having tumors removed from my abdomen and stomach).

Respondent’s statement to AUSA Brost…that he had been away from the office for most of the 4 months dealing with a serious medical issue involving the removal of tumors from his abdomen and stomach was false.

Respondent knew the statement…that he had been away from the office for most of the 4 months dealing with a serious medical issue involving the removal of tumors from his abdomen and stomach was false because Respondent was not ill with a serious medical issue involving removal of tumors from his abdomen.

In the other matter, he represented a plaintiff in a civil rights case and allegedly shared his disease

On July 25, 2016 at 9:45 a.m., Respondent sent an email to AUSA Brock, and copied to AUSA Hancock, the following message related to Respondent’s purported reason for requesting an extension to complete discovery in the Harris case:

“Yes, all went well. Thanks so much for asking. He has leiomyosarcoma, a form of stomach cancer, and had to have a small portion of his stomach and GI tract removed. It sounds terrible but apparently it is a rare but also highly treatable disease. My fiance and I have fostered kids on and off for the last 5 or so years. The only downside is that these incredible kids are often in this situation in the first place because they have one or more serious illnesses/conditions. I normally wouldn’t share such personal information but I really do feel so grateful for yours and Gina’s support last week and think it’s important that you know what it actually meant to me.”

Respondent’s statements to AUSAs Brock and Hancock…that his son’s surgery went well, that Respondent’s son had leiomyosarcoma which required surgery to remove a small portion of his stomach and GI tract, and that Respondent and his fiance [sic] had fostered children for the last five years were false.

Respondent knew his statements to AUSAs Brock and Hancock, that his son’s surgery went well, that Respondent’s son had leiomyosarcoma which required surgery to remove a small portion of his stomach and GI tract, and that Respondent and his fiance [sic] had fostered children for the last five years,…were false because Respondent had no child or foster child, therefore no diagnosis of leimoyosarcoma, and no surgery.

(Mike Frisch)