where do i file a complaint against my attorney in illinois

To report a violation you may:

Full Answer

Is a lawyer needed to file a complaint against?

Most lawyers do their most to provide the best representation possible. However, every so often lawyers do not act properly or make serious mistakes, and in those cases their clients can file a complaint with the entity responsible for overseeing the practice of law in their state.

How do you file a lawsuit against an attorney?

• You also can send in your documents and file your initial papers by email. ...
• You'll have to pay a filing fee of $400 to initiate your lawsuit in federal court.
• If you can't afford the filing fee, you can file a form asking the court to waive the fees in your case. ...

How to file ethics complaint against a lawyer?

There are three ways to file:

1. Submit your misconduct complaint via the online form * (preferred); or
2. Download and open the complaint form (PDF file) in Adobe Acrobat to fill it out. ...
3. Write a simple letter explaining the situation that you think indicates a lawyer’s unethical behavior. The letter must contain:

Can you file a complaint against your lawyer?

You can file a complaint against a lawyer if you believe that he or she has engaged in some kind of misconduct regarding the handling of your legal matter. Misconduct could range from criminal activities to any violation of the state ethical rules that all lawyers must follow. It is not enough, for instance, to complain about your lawyer simply ...

How do I report an attorney to the bar association in Illinois?

Illinois State Bar Association, P.O. Box 1330, Springfield, IL 62705-1330; Telephone: (217) 525-5297 or (800) 922 8757. Website: www.illinoislawyerfinder.com.

Who regulates attorneys in Illinois?

Totally. The regulation of the practice of law in Illinois, and its definition, are the exclusive province of the Judicial Branch of Government, specifically, the Illinois Supreme Court.

How do I file a complaint with the Illinois attorney general?

You can submit a complaint to our office by filling out the form online or by printing the complaint form from our website. Attorney General Kwame Raoul issues Consumer Alerts to media outlets across Illinois to raise awareness to the latest scam or fraud being reported in Illinois.

How do I report an attorney for wrongdoing?

In most states, you can file your complaint by mailing in a state-issued complaint form or a letter with the lawyer's name and contact information, your contact information, a description of the problem, and copies of relevant documents. In some states, you may be able to lodge your complaint over the phone or online.

What is the name of the organization responsible for enforcing unethical conduct by attorneys in Illinois?

' In Illinois, the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commis- sion ("ARDC") assists the Illinois Supreme Court in enforcing the disciplinary code.

How do I file a complaint in Illinois?

To report a non-emergency violation of law, rule or regulation via telephone, or if you have any problems or questions, call the OEIG toll-free at (866) 814-1113.

What does the Illinois Inspector General do?

The Inspector General investigates allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, misconduct, and related violations of the law involving individuals employed by or doing business with the Attorney General's Office.

What is the role of Illinois Attorney General?

The Attorney General is the state's chief legal officer and is responsible for protecting the public interest of the state and its people. Litigate to ensure state and federal laws are followed and respected. The Attorney General provides services that cover a broad range of issues, reaching every corner of Illinois.

What does the Secretary of State of Illinois do?

By statute, the Illinois Secretary of State is tasked with the duty of issuing licenses to Illinois-registered motor vehicles and their drivers. Enforcement of these duties has made the secretary of state's office a key bureau in the enforcement of driving-under-the-influence or DUI laws.

What is the most common complaint against lawyers?

Perhaps the most common kinds of complaints against lawyers involve delay or neglect. This doesn't mean that occasionally you've had to wait for a phone call to be returned. It means there has been a pattern of the lawyer's failing to respond or to take action over a period of months.

What is the most common reason for an attorney to be disciplined?

Professional misconduct is the most common reason for attorney discipline. Lawyers can also be disciplined for conduct in their personal lives.

What is it called when a lawyer doesn't do his job?

Legal malpractice is a type of negligence in which a lawyer does harm to his or her client. Typically, this concerns lawyers acting in their own interests, lawyers breaching their contract with the client, and, one of the most common cases of legal malpractice, is when lawyers fail to act on time for clients.

Do Illinois attorneys have bar numbers?

The Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission (“ARDC”) issues each attorney a unique, 7-digit ID as part of the admission process. The ARDC number is the attorney's Illinois law license number.

WHO Issues bar license in Illinois?

The Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar (“the Board”) administers the Illinois Bar Exam. This is the set of four exams any lawyer must pass before being eligible to practice law in Illinois. You must receive the Illinois Board of Admissions' permission to take the Illinois Bar Exam.

How many attorneys are there in Illinois?

The findings indicate that nearly 70,000 attorneys actively serve the Illinois public. 68 percent of those attorneys, just over 47,000 attorneys, are in the private practice.

Where is the Illinois Supreme Court located?

Springfield, ILLaw Library Illinois Supreme Court, 200 E. Capitol Avenue, Second Floor, Springfield, IL 62701. Telephone number is 217-782-2424.

What is a complaint form?

Complaint forms are public records, which are subject to the Freedom of Information Act just like other public records. If we receive a request for copies of records that include your complaint, we may be required to provide a copy of your complaint to the requestor.

Can an Illinois attorney represent you in a lawsuit?

Although our attorneys cannot represent an individual in a lawsuit, our mediation program may be able to assist you in resolving disputes or complaints. Promptness in making a complaint decreases the likelihood that a fly-by-night operator will move, leave town, or go out of business before consumers can gain assistance.

Does the Attorney General require a Social Security number?

The Attorney General's Office does not require that you provide your Social Security Number or information as to your citizenship status in order to file a consumer complaint. The information you submit will be used by attorneys, investigators, and other members of the Attorney General’s staff involved in carrying out the functions, programs, ...

Should I File a Complaint?

Accusing a lawyer of unethical conduct is a serious matter to the lawyer. Complaints should not be made lightly or to try to gain an advantage in dealings with a lawyer. If you are considering filing a complaint, understand that the ARDC will send a copy of your complaint to the lawyer whether or not we decide to initiate an investigation. Additionally, we recommend that, whenever practical, you try to resolve problems that do not concern claims of unethical conduct directly with the lawyer. For instance, if your lawyer is not responding to your calls or emails, consider sending the lawyer a formal letter by postal mail, requesting that the attorney contact you within a specified period of time. If you are not sure whether your concerns involve unethical conduct or whether you should file a complaint, you may call our office to discuss the matter with a member of our staff.

Why are disciplinary investigations closed?

Many investigations are closed because there is insufficient evidence to establish misconduct by the lawyer warranting professional disciplinary sanctions. Investigations may also be closed when the evidence shows that the problem or dispute that caused the complaint has been resolved, or when the lawyer has agreed to complete a remedial or educational program or activity to address concerns identified during the investigation. Frequently, our closure decisions are based on multiple considerations, including our interpretation of applicable rules of professional conduct, our analysis of available information and evidence, our assessment of potential harm to the public, and our judgment on the appropriate use of ARDC resources.

What is the rule of 775?

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 775 provides that any person who communicates to the ARDC a complaint concerning a lawyer or allegations concerning the unauthorized practice of law, shall be immune from civil liability which might result from the communication. This immunity, however, applies only to communications made to ARDC employees and board members.

How long does it take to get an ARDC investigation completed?

Most ARDC investigations are concluded within 90 days of our receipt of a complaint, but some investigations may take a significantly longer period of time to be completed.

How long does it take to get a response from a lawyer?

Typically, the lawyer will send a response within two to four weeks. We may send a copy of the lawyer’s response to you for comment. Thereafter, we may seek additional information and documents from you, from the lawyer, from other witnesses, or from entities with pertinent information, such as banks or insurance companies.

What is the propriety of a lawyer's fee?

The propriety of a lawyer’s fee depends both on the agreement between the lawyer and the client, and on certain limitations under the ethics rules. We may initiate an investigation into a lawyer’s fee if the fee charged or the fee agreement is improper under the ethics rules, violates a court order or statute, is fraudulent, or results in the lawyer keeping a fee paid in advance that was not earned. Many fee-related complaints, however, stem from general dissatisfaction with the amount of fees charged for legal services that may not have achieved the client’s legal objectives. These situations ordinarily do not provide a basis for possible disciplinary charges. Where such fee disputes cannot be resolved informally between the lawyer and client, they may be resolved through court action. Additionally, some bar associations in Illinois provide voluntary fee arbitration services. The following is a list of some of the Illinois bar associations that provide fee arbitration services for lawyers and clients in their areas:

What happens if a lawyer takes money from you?

If the ARDC’s investigation shows that your lawyer wrongfully took money or property from you, and if this is proven in a formal disciplinary case against the lawyer, the discipline imposed may include a requirement that the lawyer make restitution to you. Also, the ARDC’s Client Protection Program may reimburse all or part of a loss caused by a lawyer’s wrongful taking of money or property if the lawyer has been disciplined or is deceased.

How to report non-emergency violations of law?

To report a non-emergency violation of law, rule or regulation via telephone, or if you have any problems or questions, call the OEIG toll-free at (866) 814-1113. Complaints. File a Complaint. Currently selected. Complaint Process.

Who investigates Illinois state employees?

The OEIG is authorized to investigate allegations of misconduct made against a State of Illinois official, employee, who is under the jurisdiction of the governor, lieutenant governor, or a state public university, or a regional transit board (the RTA, CTA, Metra, or Pace), as well as others doing business with these entities.

What to do if you believe an attorney has committed professional misconduct?

If you believe an attorney has committed professional misconduct, you have the option of filing a complaint with the attorney regulatory authorities in your juris diction (links below).

What are some examples of attorney practices that violate the Rules?

Some examples of attorney practices that violates the Rules include: Failure to provide an accounting of your money or property held by the attorney. Commingling your funds with the attorney's own money. Refusing to return your file at the conclusion of the representation.

What are some examples of attorney misconduct?

Some examples of attorney practices that violates the Rules include: Serious neglect of your case. Failure to provide an accounting of your money ...

What to do if you are unsure about an attorney?

If you are unsure whether your concerns with an attorney involve professional misconduct, in most states you can call or email the disciplinary office and discuss the matter prior to submitting a written complaint. Contact information for attorney regulatory authorities, by jurisdiction: