Sari Montgomery was a featured presenter at the ABA’s June 6, 2019 Young Professionals Event. She participated in a panel discussion on the professional responsibility implications of evolving technologies. Sari was pleased to be among other distinguished speakers, including Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, and to help provide professional guidance to young practitioners. […]
ARDC Rule Changes and Updates: Costs and Intermediaries
by Jim Doppke In this post, we’ll take a look at two orders recently entered by the Supreme Court that affect the ARDC and its operations. One of the orders also affects lawyers who are being or have already been prosecuted, and the other affects lawyers who may be at risk of becoming the subject […]
Inside the Numbers: ARDC Annual Report
by Jim Doppke As Rhys Saunders recently posted, the ARDC released its 2018 Annual Report a couple of weeks ago. I’m still digesting some of the information in it, but there are some observations about the Illinois disciplinary system that can be gleaned from the basic data. […]
ARDC Confidentiality: How Does It Work?
by Jim Doppke No. 6: What do you want? No. 2: Information. No. 6: Whose side are you on? No. 2: That would be telling. We want information…information… information!!! No. 6: You won’t get it! – Opening Sequence, The Prisoner Supreme Court Rule 766 provides that several phases and kinds of Illinois disciplinary proceedings “shall […]
Succession Planning: Representatives’ Risks
Some of the authority conferred on representatives by proposed Illinois Supreme Court Rule 781 could raise questions about potential disciplinary liability. […]
Mary Robinson Presents at NIU Law
On April 5, 2019, RSMD’s Mary Robinson presented the 26th annual Francis X. Riley Lecture on Professionalism at Northern Illinois University School of Law in DeKalb, IL. This lecture series was established in 1994 to honor the late Professor Emeritus Riley, who devoted his life to the law and legal education. It brings distinguished speakers to […]
Announcement: Robinson, Stewart, Montgomery & Doppke, LLC.
To our valued clients, colleagues and friends, We are excited to announce the formation of our new firm: Robinson, Stewart, Montgomery & Doppke, LLC. Practice dedicated to supporting lawyers pursuing ethical solutions to practice issues and lawyers defending accusations of unethical conduct. We look forward to continuing to serve you. Mary Robinsonmrobinson@rsmdlaw.com Stephanie L. Stewartsstewart@rsmdlaw.com […]
When We Are Not Sure
“When we are not sure, we are alive.” – Graham Greene Now that you’ve all taken my advice and registered for this year, let’s talk about a part of the registration process that’s been receiving more and more attention in recent years: the question inquiring whether you have a succession plan. It will likely soon […]
Unregistered Practice: All Risk, No Benefit
It’s lawyer registration season again – and it’s usually not a difficult process for practicing lawyers looking to report, pay, and move on to next year. But it becomes problematic for some lawyers each year. Lawyers sometimes put off their registration until it’s too late, or they neglect the process altogether, whether due to personal […]
Brass Tacks Post: Litigation and ARDC Investigations
In the heat of a pitched litigation battle, Illinois lawyers sometimes report each other to the ARDC. These reports are often styled as “HimmeL” reports, i.e., reports made pursuant to a perceived duty to report another attorney’s alleged misconduct. Many of them are not, in fact, “Himmel” reports, even if the reporting lawyers characterize them […]