On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, the Supreme Court of Illinois granted the petition by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) to impose discipline on consent against Chicago attorney Neil Alan Spector for unauthorized practice of law.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Neil Alan Spector,” with case no. 2022PR00078.

The charges cited Rules 5.5(a), 8.4(c), and 8.4(d) of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct, which prohibits:

Practicing law in a jurisdiction in violation of the regulation of the legal profession in that jurisdiction;

Engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; and

Engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.

In a Complaint filed on September 23, 2022, the Administrator of the ARDC alleged that Mr. Spector violated several rules of professional conduct by engaging in the unauthorized practice of law due to failure to report MCLE compliance and failure to register with the ARDC and nonpayment of registration dues.

The filing states:

“Despite knowing about his registration requirements, at no time between March 5, 2020 and October 8, 2021 did Respondent notify his clients, opposing counsel, or the judges before whom he appeared that he was not authorized to practice law and by failing to do so he acted dishonestly when he held himself out as authorized to practice by appearing in court and purporting to represent clients.”

The filing continues:

“Instead, during that same time period, while Respondent was removed from the roll of attorneys authorized to practice law, Respondent continued to hold himself out as an attorney and represented at least nine clients facing criminal charges in Cook, McLean, and Winnebago Counties. Respondent engaged in the practice of law by meeting with those clients, appearing in court on their cases, discussing their cases with a prosecuting attorney, and participating in plea agreements or trials on the merits.”

Thereafter, the Administrator and Mr. Spector filed a petition asking the Court to impose a 90-day suspension.

Accordingly, the Court upon consideration of the matter deemed it appropriate to enter an order ruling in favor of the petition and suspending Mr. Spector on consent.

The order 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 Neil Alan Spector is suspended from the practice of law for ninety (90) days.

Suspension effective April 11, 2023.”

Prior to the suspension, Mr. Spector maintained his law practice in Chicago and has been licensed in Illinois, license no. 6181744.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.