On Friday, September 19, 2025, the Supreme Court of Illinois suspended attorney Hyun Woong Shin from practicing law for 60 days, effective October 10, 2025. The suspension stems from a petition filed by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) based on misconduct related to an eviction case.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Hyun Woong Shi,” with case no. M.R.032734.
According to the ARDC’s petition, in July 2023, Shin agreed to represent a family in an eviction matter in Cook County, accepting $1,800 as a flat fee to begin the process. He prepared a demand for the occupants to leave the property and a complaint for forcible entry and detainer. However, after an unsuccessful attempt to electronically file the complaint, Shin failed to file the complaint properly.
Despite not filing the eviction matter between August and December 2023, Shin repeatedly misled his clients, falsely claiming that the eviction complaint had been filed and providing fabricated updates on the case’s progress. He falsely stated that the Cook County Sheriff was attempting to serve the tenant, that a private investigator had been hired after the Sheriff’s unsuccessful attempts, and that he would seek a judge’s approval to proceed with eviction after public notice.
In January 2024, the family grew suspicious and discovered that no eviction case had been filed under Shin’s name. Shin then provided the family with a copy of a “Filing Submitted” receipt and a purported complaint with a false case number handwritten on it, without disclosing that the filing had been rejected. He also falsely claimed to have hired a process server. The family subsequently hired a new attorney to handle the eviction.
The ARDC’s petition cited violations of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct, specifically Rule 1.3 for failing to act with reasonable diligence and promptness, and Rule 8.4(c) for engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
In mitigation, the ARDC acknowledged that Shin was experiencing stress due to a family member’s medical condition during the period of misconduct. Shin cooperated with the disciplinary process, refunded the $1,800 fee to his former clients, and has practiced law for approximately 30 years without prior discipline. He has also provided pro bono legal advice to members of his church for about 10 years.
Aggravating factors included the intentional and prolonged nature of the dishonesty, lasting approximately six months, and the resulting loss of potential rental income for the clients.
The Supreme Court order also stipulates that Shin must reimburse the Client Protection Program Trust Fund for any payments made as a result of his conduct prior to the termination of his suspension.
The Disposition states:
“Petition by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission to impose discipline on consent pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 762(b). Allowed. Respondent Hyun Woong Shin is suspended from the practice of law in Illinois for sixty (60) days.”
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Shin is an attorney in Chicago, Illinois. He acquired his law license in Illinois in 1995.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
