On Monday, September 18, 2023, the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission filed a complaint against attorney Margaret Jean Lowery before the Hearing Board of the Illinois Registration and Disciplinary Commission. The complaint alleges that Lowery has engaged in conduct that subjects her to discipline pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 770.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Margaret Jean Lowery,” with case no. 2023PR00060.

The charges cited Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct 3.3(a)(1), 8.2(a), and 8.4(c) which states:

Knowingly making a false statement of fact or law to a tribunal by filing a false pleading in the Illinois Supreme Court.

Knowingly making a false statement or making a statement with reckless disregard for its truth or falsity concerning the qualifications or integrity of a judge, adjudicatory officer or public legal officer, or of a candidate for election or appointment to judicial or legal office

Conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation by making a false statement.

Knowingly making a false statement or making a statement with reckless disregard for its truth or falsity concerning the qualifications or integrity of a judge.

The Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.

The complaint alleges that Lowery made a false statement in a pleading in violation of Rule 3.3(a)(1) of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct (2010). Specifically, Lowery allegedly stated in a pleading that Judge Andrew Gleeson “specifically threatened” her by saying “I will see to it that you are homeless and living under a bridge.” However, the complaint asserts that this statement was false and that Lowery knew it was false at the time she made it.

The complaint also alleges that Lowery made a false statement or made a statement with reckless disregard for its truth or falsity concerning the integrity of the Supreme Court of Illinois. Lowery allegedly created a Twitter account and published a post stating that the ARDC and Illinois Supreme Court have a history of permitting harassment of women until they commit suicide or leave the bar. The complaint asserts that this statement was false and that Lowery knew it was false or made it with a reckless disregard for its truth or falsity.

The complaint states:

“On July 6, 2023, Respondent created and published a post on the Twitter account described in paragraph 11, above, that said the following:

Did you know the ARDC & the Illinois Supreme Court have a [sic] history of permitting harassment of women until they commit [sic] suicide or leave the bar? That’s how they enforce their “anti-discrimination and non-harassment policy.” How do I know this? I interviewed the affected women.”

The Administrator respectfully prays for the assignment of this matter to a panel of the Hearing Board, the scheduling of a hearing, and the subsequent issuance of findings of fact, conclusions of fact and law, and a recommended disciplinary action as deemed appropriate.

According to Avvo, Ms. Lowery is a healthcare attorney in Belleville, Illinois. She attended the University of Tulsa College of Law, graduating in 1986. She acquired her law license in Illinois in 2000.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.