On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, the Administrator of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission filed a formal complaint against attorney Norma Frances Miner, alleging serious misconduct related to the handling of client funds.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Norma Frances Miner,” with case no. 2024PR00075.
The charges cited Illinois Rules of of Professional Conduct 1.15(a), 1.15(b), 1.16(d), and 8.4(c).
Miner is accused of failing to safeguard client funds and not refunding unearned fees. The complaint details that between June 12, 2008, and October 11, 2023, Miner maintained a client trust account at Banterra Bank. On October 10, 2023, she withdrew the account’s balance of $62.78, resulting in its closure.
The allegations stem from a client engagement with an individual identified as B.T. on October 26, 2023. Miner and B.T. agreed on a $150 consultation fee, along with a $2,500 retainer for legal services concerning family law matters. B.T. made an initial payment of $1,250, which Miner failed to deposit into a separate client trust account as required. Instead, she allegedly cashed the check and used the funds for personal expenses without authorization.
Subsequent payments from B.T. totaling $1,200 were also mishandled. On November 14 and November 17, 2023, Miner received additional payments of $600 each, which she again failed to deposit into a designated client trust account. Instead, she converted these funds for personal use, violating B.T.’s trust.
As of November 17, 2023, Miner had not performed any legal work for B.T., despite possessing a total of $2,450 in client funds. On January 19, 2024, B.T. inquired about the status of her retainer, to which Miner’s legal assistant responded that not all the funds had been utilized. However, as of the filing of the complaint, Miner had not refunded any portion of the retainer.
The complaint outlines several violations, including unauthorized use of client funds, failure to maintain client funds separately, failure to refund unearned fees, and engaging in dishonest conduct. The Administrator is requesting that the matter be referred to a panel of the Hearing Board for a formal hearing, where findings of fact and recommendations for disciplinary action will be made.
According to avvo.com, Ms. Miner is a divorce and separation attorney in Marion, Illinois. She acquired her law license in Illinois in 1982.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
