On October 7, 2022, the Supreme Court of Illinois ruled on Respondent Rock Island attorney Philip Edwin Koenig’s motion to continue starting date of suspension in relation to charges of attorney discipline against Respondent for failure to safeguard client funds and dishonest conduct.

The case titled In the Matter of Philip Edwin Koenig was brought by the Administrator of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, case no. 2020PR00076.

The charges cited Rules 1.15(a) and 8.4(c) of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct.

The Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.

The following are as alleged and summarized from the filing:

This disciplinary matter involves a one-count complaint against Koenig for knowingly and without authorization used for his personal and business benefit the $70,076.80 on settlement funds belonging to a client.

In its Report and Recommendation, the Hearing Board recommended 18 months suspension for Respondent’s unethical conduct. Respondent appealed, challenging the Hearing Board’s sanction and recommendation and asking the Review Board to recommend a censure or a six-month suspension followed by a probation period.

The Review Board, on the other hand, recommended one-year suspension, shorter than the Hearing Board’s recommended sanction.

In an Order dated September 21, 2022, the Supreme Court of Illinois denied the Petition by the Administrator for leave to file exceptions to the report and recommendation of the Review Board. The Order provides Respondent Philip Edwin Koenig’s law practice for one year, effective October 12, 2022.

Respondent filed a motion to continue starting date of suspension to November 2, 2022, which was allowed by the Court in its Order dated October 7, 2022.

The Order reads:

“IT IS ORDERED that the motion to continue starting date of suspension to November 2, 2022, is allowed. Respondent’s suspension is effective November 2, 2022.”

Mr. Philip Edward Koenig attended the Southwestern University School of Law. He had been licensed in Illinois. His bio can be found on his own law firm’s website.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.