On Wednesday, November 23, 2022, the Supreme Court of Illinois suspended Crystal Lake attorney Christopher Robert Emerald from the practice of law.

The case is styled In re: Christopher Robert Emerald and was brought by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, under case no. 2021PR00085.

The complaint involved three client matters which alleged Emerald of misconduct. The first count accuses Emerald of having failed to open a probate estate on behalf of his client, thus failing to diligently and promptly represent the said client. Emerald was further alleged to have failed to keep the client informed about the status of the probate estate, and also misrepresented to the client that he filed a petition to open the probate estate, but in fact, no petition for letters of administration to open the probate estate was filed by Emerald.

The second count alleged Emerald of making a false statement to a court, offering false evidence, and engaging in fraudulent conduct by affixing his client’s purported signature to a petition for letters of administration.

The third count relates to Emerald’s misconduct of affixing a signature to a probate document without the individual’s knowledge or consent and improper notarization of said document.

Based on these facts, the Administrator requested that this matter be assigned to a Hearing Board panel, that a hearing be held, and that the panel makes findings of fact, conclusion of fact and law, and a recommendation for such discipline.

According to the filing:

“Motion by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission to approve and confirm the report and recommendation of the Hearing Board. Allowed. . .”

With the foregoing facts, the Court ruled against Emerald and suspended him from the practice of law for one year until he makes restitution to Nancy Silver-Hacker in the amount of $2,500, less any expenses he incurred and any amount he has already paid to her.

Emerald’s suspension is effective December 14, 2022.

Prior to the suspension, Mr. Christopher Robert Emerald practices in Crystal Lake, Illinois. He has been licensed in Illinois, license no. 6269706.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.