On Wednesday, September 21, 2022, the Supreme Court of Illinois ruled on the petition by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) to impose discipline on consent suspending Respondent Chicago attorney Stevan Krkjles.
The case, titled In the Matter of Stevan Krkjles was brought by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. Case #2022PR00028.
The charges cited Rules 1.1, 1.3, 1.4(a)(2), 1.4(a)(3), 8.4(b), and 8.4(c) of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct, which state:
A lawyer shall provide competent representation to a client. Competent representation requires the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness and preparation reasonably necessary for the representation.
A lawyer shall act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client.
A lawyer shall reasonably consult with the client about the means by which the client’s objectives are to be accomplished.
A lawyer shall keep the client reasonably informed about the status of the matter.
It is professional misconduct to commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects.
It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
The disciplinary matter involves a three-count complaint against Respondent alleging misconduct for his conviction to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence on December 30, 2019, and his lack of diligence in two separate client matters which resulted in the dismissal of their cases for want of prosecution.
On May 19, 2022, Respondent filed an Affidavit stating that the assertions in the Petition are true and complete, that he joined in the Petition freely and voluntarily, and that he understands the nature and consequences of the Petition.
In its Petition to Impose Discipline on Consent, the Administrator, with the consent of Respondent, and approval of a panel of the Hearing Board, requests that the Court enter an order suspending Krkjles from the practice of law for one year until further order of the Court, with the suspension stayed after 30 days in favor of a two-year period of probation with conditions to commence upon the effective date of the Court’s order.
Accordingly, in its Order dated September 21, 2022, the Supreme Court of Illinois, allowed the Petition by the Administrator.
Respondent Stevan Krkjles is suspended from the practice of law in the State of Illinois for one year and until further order of the Court, with the suspension stayed after 30 days by a two-year period of probation effective October 12, 2022. Respondent shall reimburse the Client Protection Program Trust Fund for any Client Protection payments arising from his conduct prior to the termination of the period of suspension.
Mr. Stevan Krkjles graduated from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1988. He is a founding partner of the Schiff, Gorman & Krkjles servicing Chicago, Illinois. He has been licensed in Illinois, license #6198441. His info can be found on LawyerDB.com.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
