Answer for Kesab
Hi Kesab:
Sorry about not explaining. A sworn complaint just means that you have your signature notarized with a proper notary signature and it is as if you are making your statement under oath. While I do not know what is actually required in Illinois....many states require that a bar complaint be "sworn" to try to deter people from filing out right lies.
Your question about existing client's funds is a very good one. An attorney is normally required to maintain a trust account which contains monies paid by clients but not yet billed or not yet spent on expenses. In an ideal world, one would hope that this money still exists (if it is gone an attorney has more than a Bar complaint to be concerned about.....stealing makes it a crime). My suggestion is you call the Illinois Bar folks and aks them that same question.
Kesab...generally if a state bar is going to come down on an attorney for unethical behavior...they are not going to allow that attorney to make off with client fees if at all possilbe. None the less, you have good reason to be concerned and calling someone at the bar should provide you with some answers.
Good luck and it is sad that folks like this attonrey are the reason that my profession continues to fight the stereotypes of being greedy and unprofessional.
Hi Kesab:
Sorry about not explaining. A sworn complaint just means that you have your signature notarized with a proper notary signature and it is as if you are making your statement under oath. While I do not know what is actually required in Illinois....many states require that a bar complaint be "sworn" to try to deter people from filing out right lies.
Your question about existing client's funds is a very good one. An attorney is normally required to maintain a trust account which contains monies paid by clients but not yet billed or not yet spent on expenses. In an ideal world, one would hope that this money still exists (if it is gone an attorney has more than a Bar complaint to be concerned about.....stealing makes it a crime). My suggestion is you call the Illinois Bar folks and aks them that same question.
Kesab...generally if a state bar is going to come down on an attorney for unethical behavior...they are not going to allow that attorney to make off with client fees if at all possilbe. None the less, you have good reason to be concerned and calling someone at the bar should provide you with some answers.
Good luck and it is sad that folks like this attonrey are the reason that my profession continues to fight the stereotypes of being greedy and unprofessional.