On Wednesday, November 23, 2022, the Supreme Court of Illinois suspended Oak Park attorney Rebecca Suzanne Murray pursuant to the Motion by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission to approve and confirm the report and recommendation of the Hearing Board.
The case, titled In the Matter of Rebecca Suzanne Murray, was brought by the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. Case #2021PR00077.
The charges cited Murray’s violation of Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.16(d), and 8.5(d).
Murray was alleged to have violated the above-cited rules by:
failing to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client;
failing to take steps to the extent reasonably practicable to protect a client’s interests upon termination of representation; and
failing to respond to a lawful demand for information from a disciplinary authority.
The Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct can be found online at this link.
The following are as alleged and summarized from the Report and Recommendation of the Hearing Board:
The disciplinary matter involves a two-count Complaint alleging Murray of misconduct by her failure to diligently and promptly represent her client, Mr. Kalas, by failing to appear in court on three consecutive court dates. Murray was also alleged to have failed to return unearned fees to Mr. Kalas upon terminating Murray’s representation. Moreover, Murray was also alleged to have failed to respond to the Administrator’s request for a written response to the Kalas investigation and to provide documents and appear for a sworn statement, pursuant to the Administrator’s subpoena.
A hearing in this matter was held on June 21, 2022, before a hearing panel. Respondent and the Administrator through counsel appeared. The Administrator recommended that the Respondent be suspended for six months until further order of the Court.
The hearing board agreed with the Administrator’s recommendation and in addition, recommended that Murray be required to complete the Professionalism Seminar.
Based on the foregoing, the Supreme Court of Illinois ruled against Murray and allowed the Administrator’s motion.
The Order reads:
“Motion by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission to approve and confirm the report and recommendation of the Hearing Board. Allowed. Respondent Rebecca Suzanne Murray is suspended from the practice of law for six (6) months and until further order of the Court and until she successfully completes the ARDC Professionalism Seminar.”
Prior to the suspension, Ms. Murray practiced at Oak Park, Illinois. She graduated from the University of Illinois, Chicago School of Law in 2013. She has been admitted to practice in the Illinois bar. Her info can be found on LinkedIn.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
