An Illinois Hearing Board

The Administrator charged that, in five instances, Respondent did not complete a task for a client. The Administrator also charged that Respondent prepared and sent his client documents which falsely suggested those tasks had been done.

Respondent was an associate at a law firm. The tasks related to projects on which other employees also worked. There was evidence that, as of a specific time, the tasks had not been accomplished. However, the evidence did not clearly demonstrate when the tasks were required to be completed or that the failure to complete those tasks was due to Respondent’s culpable neglect.

Two documents which falsely purported to be building permits were created on the computer the firm had issued to Respondent. However, the evidence did not clearly establish that Respondent was the person who created and sent the false permits to the client. Two other documents falsely purported to be agreements, signed on behalf of a property owner, permitting access to property. Respondent affixed those signatures without authority. The fifth matter involved e-mail correspondence. Conflicting evidence was presented as to the genuineness of the correspondence, the accuracy of the statements it contained and Respondent’s state of mind.

The Hearing Board concluded that the Administrator did not prove Respondent failed to act with reasonable diligence in any of the matters at issue. The Hearing Board found Respondent engaged in dishonest conduct by falsely signing the purported agreements, but that there was not clear and convincing evidence that Respondent engaged in dishonest conduct as to the building permits and e-mail. The Hearing Board recommends a four-month suspension.