On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission filed a formal complaint against attorney James Gregory Las Cola.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of James Gregory Las Cola,” with case no. 2024PR00025.
The charges cited Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4(a)(3), 1.16(d), and 8.1(a)(b).
The three-count complaint alleges Las Cola failed to complete estate planning documents for clients, Arthur and Rosie Coleman, after being retained and receiving $1,750. Despite numerous attempts at communication, Las Cola did not respond to the Coleman’s over a period of several months. He also did not refund any portion of the unearned retainer, as requested.
In a second case, the complaint says Las Cola was retained in September 2022 to handle an eviction matter on behalf of Brandon Robertson’s company. Las Cola filed the initial case documents but did not substantially work on the matter. Robertson terminated Las Cola in December due to a lack of communication. Like the previous clients, Robertson requested an accounting and refund of any unearned fees but Las Cola did not provide these.
Finally, the complaint accuses Las Cola of making false statements and failing to cooperate with the disciplinary investigation into the Robertson matter. This includes providing fabricated billing records and falsely testifying he sent documents he did not. He also ignored subpoenas to produce documents.
The complaint states:
“WHEREFORE, the Administrator requests that this matter be referred to a panel of the Hearing Board of the Commission, that a hearing be conducted, and that the Hearing Panel make findings of fact, conclusions of fact and law, and a recommendation for such discipline as is warranted.”
According to avvo.com, Mr. Las Cola is an elder law attorney in Chicago, Illinois. He attended the DePaul University College of Law. He acquired his law license in Illinois in 1998.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
