Illinois Potpourri

The Illinois Supreme Court has acted in a number of bar discipline matters described in this Announcement by the Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission

Highlights

Ms. Calloway, who was licensed in 1994, was suspended for one year and until further order of the Court. She made false statements to a federal judge about her authority to settle a case, then made additional false statements to her supervisors about the case’s status. She also settled a separate case without authority and made false statements to another attorney about the status of that case.

Mr. Cohn, who was licensed in 1983, was suspended for six months and until he completes the ARDC Professionalism Seminar. He engaged in conduct with no substantial purpose other than to embarrass, delay, and burden a third person in the course of pending litigation by using vulgar and abusive language toward his female opposing counsel during a deposition. The suspension is effective on February 11, 2021.

Our earlier post on this matter linked here.

Mr. Field, who was licensed in 2011, was suspended for three years and until further order of the Court. He made false statements in federal court pleadings and in communications with opposing counsel and court personnel alleging a fictitious illness as his reason for seeking extensions of time in matters. He also made false statements on his law school and bar admission applications and to the ARDC.

Mr. Freund, who was licensed in 1984, was disbarred on consent following his criminal convictions for the crimes of aggravated battery of a child, involuntary manslaughter, and concealment of homicidal death.

Our prior coverage here

Mr. McWard, who was licensed in 2017, was suspended for 90 days. While acting as an Assistant State’s Attorney, he provided incomplete or false information to a judge in order to cause the judge to set a lower bond amount for an individual under arrest. He also made false statements to his supervisors regarding his involvement in the matter and his telephone conversation with the judge. The suspension is effective on February 11, 2021.

Mr. Wettermann, who was licensed in 1995, was disbarred on consent. Over a five-year period, he submitted more than 380 requests that his firm reimburse him for travel, lodging, and dining expenses relating to client matters, totaling approximately $360,000. The firm’s subsequent review of those requests determined either that the trips had not been taken or that there was insufficient proof to show that the expenses had actually been incurred.

(Mike Frisch)