On Friday, August 30, 2024, the Administrator of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission filed a formal complaint against Attorney Stephen Joseph Link.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Stephen Joseph Link,” with case no. 2024PR00058.
The charges cited Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.15(a), 1.15(d), 8.4(c), and 1.15A(b).
According to the complaint, on multiple occasions, Link converted client funds entrusted to him in real estate transactions to his own personal use without authorization. In one instance, the complaint claims Link received $30,000 in earnest money for a property sale in November 2022 but withdrew most of it from his client trust account by February, lowering the balance to under $110.
In another case, the complaint states that between November and December 2021, Link received over $15,000 from various real estate clients to hold in escrow but instead converted at least $9,131 of these funds for his own benefit, lowering the trust account balance significantly. Additionally, the complaint accused Link of mishandling $2,101 in post-closing escrow funds for a May 2023 property sale in a similar manner.
The disciplinary commission further alleged that Link lied and provided false statements to the ARDC when asked to explain shortfalls in his client trust account. Specifically, the complaint asserts Link fabricated stories about funds being for client settlements when they were actually related to his finances. Finally, the complaint claims Link failed to keep proper documentation for his client trust account during the relevant periods.
If found guilty of the four counts alleged, which include misuse of funds, dishonesty, and recordkeeping violations, Link could face sanctions ranging from discipline to disbarment.
The complaint states:
“WHEREFORE, the Administrator requests that this matter be assigned to a panel of the Hearing Board, that a hearing be held, and that the panel make findings of fact, conclusions of fact and law, and a recommendation for such discipline as is warranted.”
According to avvo.com, Mr. Link is a corporate & incorporation attorney in Schaumburg, Illinois. He attended the John Marshall School of Law. He acquired his law license in Illinois in 1995.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
