Editor's note: “was offensive and pervasive … and we found that it reflects adversely on his fitness as a lawyer,” and yet the Probate Court of Cook County continues to perform illegal and unethical behavior against the dead, dying, disabled and aged wards under their protection. Lucius Verenus, Schoolmaster, ProbateSharks.com
Highland Park lawyer faces suspension over sexual misconduct accusations
A Highland Park lawyer faces a 30-month suspension of his law license after a state disciplinary panel found that he had sexually harassed four female employees and engaged in other sexual misconduct. (April 30, 2014)
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A Highland Park lawyer faces a 30-month suspension of his law license after a state disciplinary panel found that he had sexually harassed four female employees and engaged in other sexual misconduct.
Paul M. Weiss’ misconduct was “was offensive and pervasive … and we found that it reflects adversely on his fitness as a lawyer,” a panel of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission wrote in a decision released earlier this month.
Weiss’ attorney said in a statement that her client plans to appeal the hearing board’s findings and proposed sanction.
“The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission has pursued ‘ethics’ charges against Mr. Weiss related primarily to allegations of sexual harassment, despite a specific rule that prohibits ethics charges for sexual harassment against an attorney unless a court or administrative agency has found that the attorney committed sexual harassment (no court or administrative body has ever found that Mr. Weiss committed sexual harassment),” the statement said.
“And despite the fact that Mr. Weiss has never been criminally charged for any of this conduct, the ARDC has pursued these ethics claims by charging him solely with committing ‘criminal’ conduct (one additional charge that Mr. Weiss engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice was recommended to be dismissed by the Hearing Board).”
Weiss was accused of groping, making sexually harassing phone calls and other sexual misbehavior that includes assault, battery and unlawful restraint. Three of the alleged victims were legal assistants and another was an attorney who was fired in 2002 after she complained, according to a complaint filed by the commission in 2008.
The commission later amended its complaint to include allegations that Weiss took of his pants during a meeting with a fifth employee and exposed himself to two other women outside the office.
Weiss had denied the ethics charges, saying they were unrelated “to clients money or the practice of law.”
The disciplinary panel found that the harassment allegations brought by one of the employees were not proven.
asachdev@tribune.com
Paul M. Weiss’ misconduct was “was offensive and pervasive … and we found that it reflects adversely on his fitness as a lawyer,” a panel of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission wrote in a decision released earlier this month.
Weiss’ attorney said in a statement that her client plans to appeal the hearing board’s findings and proposed sanction.
“The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission has pursued ‘ethics’ charges against Mr. Weiss related primarily to allegations of sexual harassment, despite a specific rule that prohibits ethics charges for sexual harassment against an attorney unless a court or administrative agency has found that the attorney committed sexual harassment (no court or administrative body has ever found that Mr. Weiss committed sexual harassment),” the statement said.
“And despite the fact that Mr. Weiss has never been criminally charged for any of this conduct, the ARDC has pursued these ethics claims by charging him solely with committing ‘criminal’ conduct (one additional charge that Mr. Weiss engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice was recommended to be dismissed by the Hearing Board).”
Weiss was accused of groping, making sexually harassing phone calls and other sexual misbehavior that includes assault, battery and unlawful restraint. Three of the alleged victims were legal assistants and another was an attorney who was fired in 2002 after she complained, according to a complaint filed by the commission in 2008.
The commission later amended its complaint to include allegations that Weiss took of his pants during a meeting with a fifth employee and exposed himself to two other women outside the office.
Weiss had denied the ethics charges, saying they were unrelated “to clients money or the practice of law.”
The disciplinary panel found that the harassment allegations brought by one of the employees were not proven.
asachdev@tribune.com
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