how to file a complaint against a lawyer in illinois

You may file your complaint in one of three different ways:

• Online File an informal complaint online
• By Phone You can reach us between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday by calling 1-800-524-0795, 1-217-782-2024 outside the State of Illinois, or TTY at 1-800-858-9277. ...
• By Mail You can send us your comments or complaint by US Mail: Illinois Commerce Commission 527 East Capitol Ave Springfield, IL. ...

Full Answer

Is a lawyer needed to file a complaint against?

Your complaint is your story. Because every story is different, every complaint is different. So if you intend to represent yourself in a district or justice court civil case, you will need to write your own complaint, which will be specific to your case. Or you can hire an attorney to write a complaint for you.

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.

How do I report a lawyer to the Bar in Illinois?

E-mail the Inspector General's Office at ethics.OEIG@ilag.gov. Complete a complaint form, which you can obtain on this Web site or in the reception area of the Attorney General's Office.

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.

Who regulates attorneys in Illinois?

the Illinois Supreme CourtTotally. 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 in Illinois?

To report a violation you may:Call the OEIG's toll-free hotline at 866.814.1113.Complete an online complaint form.Contact the Office via telecommunications device for the disabled (TTY) at 888.261.2734;Mail a completed complaint form to:Fax a completed complaint form to 312.814.5479.More items...

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.

Can you sue a lawyer for not doing their job?

A claim of malpractice may exist if your lawyer exhibited negligence in your representation. If your lawyer's negligence caused you to suffer harm or a less advantageous outcome or settlement in your case, you may have a claim to sue your lawyer for professional negligence.

How do I contact the Illinois Attorney General?

Contact Us - Main PageHotlines, Helplines and TTY.Homeowner Helpline.Mailing Addresses and Main Phone Numbers.E-Mail the Office of the Illinois Attorney General for general comments, questions and/or concerns.To report broken links, missing pages, or other technical issues contact the webmaster@ilag.gov.

What is the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission?

Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission is a legal association in Illinois that works to register and discipline attorneys at the direction of the Illinois Supreme Court.

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.

Where is the best place to file a complaint?

File a complaint with your local consumer protection office or the state agency that regulates the company. Notify the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in your area about your problem. The BBB tries to resolve your complaints against companies.

What does the Illinois attorney general do for consumers?

Attorney General Kwame Raoul's Consumer Protection Division protects Illinois consumers and businesses victimized by fraud, deception, and unfair business practices.

Who is the attorney general of Illinois?

Kwame Raoul (Democratic Party)Illinois / Attorney generalKwame Raoul is an American lawyer and politician who has been the 42nd Attorney General of Illinois since 2019. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Raoul represented the 13th district in the Illinois Senate from 2004 to 2019. Wikipedia

What is the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission?

The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) investigates complaints made by clients, fellow attorneys and others. The legitimate and serious ones can make their way all the way up to the Illinois Supreme Court, which hands out punishments and disbars those attorneys who should no longer be allowed to practice law. ...

What happens when you file a complaint with the ARDC?

When someone files a complaint about an attorney with the ARDC, it doesn’t just end up in a file somewhere. The ARDC reviews each complaint and determines whether the complaint is legitimate and whether the case should go on to the next level.

How many lawyers were disciplined in 2013?

The ARDC opens about 6,000 investigations a year. In 2013, 151 lawyers were disciplined, and 35 of those were completely disbarred. Lesser disciplinary action includes suspension, probation, censure and reprimand. Basically, it’s varying levels of punishment based on the offense.

What to do if you are unsure about what you find?

If you are unsure about what you find, ask the attorney about it. If you have a complaint about an attorney, you can file a request for an investigation on the same website.

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.

Information about Filing a Complaint

There is no requirement that complaints be submitted using the ARDC’s complaint form. The ARDC will consider written complaints submitted in letter form.

Effect on Your Legal Rights

The ARDC cannot provide you with legal advice or legal help, cannot take over your case, and cannot seek to overturn unfavorable rulings or court orders in your case. If you file a complaint, you remain responsible for taking action to protect your legal rights.

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.

Why do you close a complaint in Illinois?

Close the complaint because the allegations did not constitute incapacity and/or misconduct under the law and standards of judicial conduct in Illinois. Most often these complaints concern a losing litigant's subjective perception that justice was not obtained in his or her cause. By closing the complaint, the Board does not pass judgment on ...

What is the process of filing a complaint against a judge?

The Complaint Process. Any person may file a complaint with the Judicial Inquiry Board ("Board"). The complaint, which is required to be submitted in writing, must state facts that substantiate any alleged misconduct or incapacity. When a complaint is made against a judge, the Board acknowledges receipt of the complaint in writing.

Why do you close a complaint?

Close the complaint because of insufficient cause to take further action. Close the complaint but monitor the judge's courtroom. Close the complaint and issue the judge a private letter of admonishment or caution. Note: In each of the above instances, a letter is sent to the complainant informing him or her that the complaint has been closed.

What does closing a complaint mean?

By closing the complaint, the Board does not pass judgment on the merits of the case. This is the sole responsibility of the Appellate Court. A letter is sent to the complainant informing him or her that the complaint has been closed. Investigate the complaint.

What action can the Board take after a judge's appearance?

In instances where the Board requires the judge to appear, the Board may take the following action after the judge's appearance: Close the complaint. Close the complaint but monitor the judge's courtroom.

What does alcohol abuse mean in judicial office?

Alcohol or drug abuse by a judicial officer may suggest a possible impairment in the performance of judicial duties. In the absence of associated judicial misconduct, the Board initially pursues such matters with a view towards intervention.

What is the job of an investigation?

Investigate the complaint. An investigation may entail writing a letter to the judge to request his or her explanation of the matter , reviewing court and non-court documents , interviewing the complainant as well as other witnesses, or monitoring courtrooms.

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: