ARDC

The Illinois Supreme Court has announced the filing of disciplinary orders involving a number of licensed lawyers. Sanctions were imposed because the lawyers engaged in professional misconduct by violating state ethics law. More information on each case is available at the ARDC website.

DISBARRED

• William Charles Chesbrough, Elgin

Mr. Chesbrough, who was licensed in 1980, was disbarred. He misappropriated more than $113,000 that he was holding for a client in connection with the client’s deceased mother’s estate. In addition, in two separate real estate matters, he converted more than $28,000 that he was holding either as earnest money or to pay real estate taxes.

• Alan Samuel Cohen, St. Louis

Mr. Cohen was licensed in Missouri in 1992 and in Illinois in 1993. He was disbarred in Missouri for failing to maintain a client trust account and for using client and third party funds to pay office and personal expenses. The Illinois Supreme Court imposed reciprocal discipline and disbarred him.

• Joseph Patrick Collins, Chicago

Mr. Collins, who was licensed in 1975, was disbarred on consent. He was convicted in federal court of conspiracy, securities fraud and wire fraud. The conviction was based on his conduct while serving as outside counsel for Refco Inc., a commodities brokerage firm. Mr. Collins participated with others in an eight-year scheme to hide the company’s financial situation by making false and fraudulent statements to various parties, including banks, auditors, investors and the Securities Exchange Commission.

• C. Wayne K. Davis, St. Louis

Mr. Davis was licensed in Missouri in 1996 and in Illinois in 1999. He was disbarred in Missouri after a felony conviction. He misappropriated at least $25,000.00 from his employer, the Edward Jones Company. The Illinois Supreme Court imposed reciprocal discipline and disbarred him.

• Kelly Christine Garland, Chicago

Ms. Garland, who was licensed in 2002, was disbarred on consent. She falsified court orders and an affidavit in five different domestic relations matters in order to conceal from her clients the true status of their cases.

• Thaddeus James Hunt, Chicago

Mr. Hunt, who was licensed in 2002, was disbarred. He misappropriated $10,274.67 in client funds, neglected seven client matters, failed to communicate with clients and abandoned his law practice.

• Brainerd William LaTourette III, St. Louis

Mr. LaTourette was licensed in Missouri in 1982 and in Illinois in 1983. He was disbarred in Missouri for failing to perform his duties as trustee for a family trust, disobeying a court order, engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, and failing to participate in disciplinary proceedings against him. The Illinois Supreme Court imposed reciprocal discipline and disbarred him.

• James A. Reskin, Louisville, Ky.

Mr. Reskin, who was licensed in Illinois in 1982, was disbarred on consent. He was convicted in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma on charges of obstructing a criminal investigation by making false and misleading statements to the Internal Revenue Service and the United States Department of Justice.

• Kenneth Alan Runes, Mount Prospect

Mr. Runes, who was licensed in 1991, was disbarred. He misappropriated over $13,000 in client funds, neglected numerous client matters, failed to communicate with clients, failed to refund unearned fees, and did not cooperate with the ARDC investigation. Mr. Runes did not participate in his disciplinary hearing. He failed to participate in his disciplinary proceeding.

• Lawrence Scott Wick, Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.

Mr. Wick, who was licensed in Illinois in 1971, was disbarred. He billed more than $1 million to two corporate clients for work that he had never performed.

• Bradford Thomas Yaker, Bingham Farms, Mich.

Mr. Yaker was licensed in Illinois in 1988 and in Michigan in 1995. He was disbarred in Michigan for repeatedly representing to a client that he had filed a securities claim for the client when he had not done so. In addition, he falsely informed the client that he had reached a settlement in the matter and provided the client with a fictitious settlement agreement providing for a $30,000 payment. The Illinois Supreme Court imposed reciprocal discipline and disbarred him.

In 2009, 27,200 attorneys provided pro bono legal services totaling 2,197,041 legal service hours, including 1,113,778 hours of legal service provided directly to persons of limited means - an increase of 2.1% over 2008. That's according to the latest Annual Report from the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. The ARDC also reported that the Master Roll of Attorneys rose 1% from 2008 to 84,777 as of Oct. 31, 2009. The counties with the greatest increase in attorney population include DeKalb (6%), Peoria (3%), Champaign (2%) and Kane (2%). The Commission docketed 5,834 investigations into alleged attorney misconduct, a 1% decrease from the year before. The top three areas of grievance involve problems with the client-attorney relationship including allegations of neglect (37% of all investigations), failing to communicate (17%) and conduct involving fraud or deceit (15%). Consistent with prior years, the areas of practice most likely to lead to a grievance are criminal law, domestic relations, tort and real estate. Click below to read more from the ARDC's 2009 Annual report.