On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, the Supreme Court of Illinois censured attorney John Russell Wienold following a petition from the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC). The censure is a result of Wienold’s misconduct during a personal injury case that took place in DuPage County.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of John Russell Wienold,” with case no. M.R.032419.
Wienold was involved in a case stemming from a motorcycle accident occurring on September 14, 2017. He represented the defendants in this matter, which involved a collision between a motorcycle and a truck. Throughout the proceedings, Wienold engaged with an eyewitness to the incident, attempting to gather information that would support his case.
The disciplinary action centered around Wienold’s handling of the eyewitness’s deposition. On August 18, 2020, during cross-examination, the witness provided false testimony regarding the nature and extent of his interactions with Wienold. Specifically, he misstated when he first met Wienold and the compensation he received for his time. Wienold, aware of the inaccuracies in the witness’s testimony, failed to take corrective measures during the deposition or afterward.
Following this deposition, the witness retracted some of his statements in a recorded interview, contradicting his earlier testimony. This prompted the plaintiff’s legal team to file a motion for further discovery, which led to the court imposing sanctions against Wienold. Ultimately, he was ordered to pay over $36,000 in attorney fees and costs due to his failure to correct the false testimony, which the court deemed prejudicial to the administration of justice.
The ARDC highlighted Wienold’s failure to act upon discovering that the witness had provided false information, which constitutes a violation of several rules of professional conduct, including dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the legal process. As part of the disciplinary proceedings, Wienold expressed remorse for his actions and cooperated fully with the ARDC’s investigation. He has no prior disciplinary record in his nearly five decades of practice.
The Supreme Court’s decision to censure Wienold aligns with disciplinary precedents established in similar cases. The court’s ruling also reflects an effort to uphold the integrity of the legal profession, emphasizing the importance of honesty and transparency in legal proceedings.
The Disposition states:
“Petition by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission to impose discipline on consent pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 762(b). Allowed. Respondent John Russell Wienold is censured.”
According to avvo.com, Mr. Wienold is a nursing home abuse and neglect attorney in Aurora, Illinois. He acquired his law license in Illinois in 1976.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
