On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, a Hearing Board Panel of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission recommended a one-year suspension for attorney Asha Vivian Mathai. The recommendation followed a default proceeding on May 28, 2025, where Mathai admitted to serious misconduct.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Asha Vivian Mathai,” with case no. 2025PR00007.
The allegations, outlined in a February 7, 2025, complaint, stem from events between January and December 2021. Mathai broke her sister’s front door glass with a clothing iron and sent over 100 threatening and harassing messages to her sister, ex-husband, his divorce attorneys, and a police officer. These actions included repeated threats of death and harm, leading to Mathai’s guilty plea to two counts of violating an order of protection.
The panel found that her actions constituted criminal activity reflecting poorly on her fitness as a lawyer and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, violating Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(b) and 8.4(d).
Mathai, who has practiced law for over 18 years without prior discipline, represented herself at the hearing. She attributed her behavior to alcohol abuse and claimed sobriety after receiving substance use and mental health treatment. However, the panel noted a lack of corroborating medical evidence to link her conditions to the misconduct or confirm adequate treatment, dismissing these as mitigating factors.
In aggravation, the panel highlighted Mathai’s intentional violation of the law, her pattern of threatening communications, and her failure to fully accept responsibility, as she partially blamed her ex-husband and sister.
The recommendation states:
“Based on Respondent’s serious misconduct, the substantial aggravation and minimal mitigation involved in this matter, and the relevant case law, we recommend that Respondent be suspended for one year and until further order of the Court.”
According to Avvo.com, Ms. Mathai is a litigation attorney in Chicago, Illinois. She acquired her law license in Illinois in 2006.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
