A Short Amount Of Time In Practice

An Illinois Hearing Board recommends that an attorney be suspended until further court order

The allegations deemed admitted establish that Respondent did not file an appellate brief for two individuals she was appointed to represent after their parental rights were terminated. The Appellate Court, Fifth District, ordered her to personally appear to explain her failure to comply with its orders requiring her to file a brief. Respondent did not appear, and the court found her in direct criminal contempt and fined her $100. In addition, Respondent ignored letters from the Administrator asking her to submit a response about the conduct at issue and failed to appear for a sworn statement after being served with a subpoena. Based on these admitted allegations, the Administrator established by clear and convincing evidence that Respondent violated Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 3.2, 3.4(c), 8.1(b), and 8.4(b).

Respondent, who was licensed in 2021, has no prior discipline. Her lack of prior discipline has no mitigating effect on our recommendation given the short amount of time she has been practicing law. Moreover, her failure to participate in these proceedings significantly aggravates her misconduct and leaves us unable to assess her fitness to practice. Therefore, we agree with the Administrator that she should be suspended until further order of the Court.

(Mike Frisch)