On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, the Supreme Court of Illinois suspended attorney Tara Marie Grimm for multiple violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Tara Marie Grimm,” with case no. 031705.

The charges cited Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2(a), 1.3, 3.2, and 8.4(c) which states:

Failing to consult with a client as to the means by which the objectives of representation are to be pursued.

Failing to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client.

Failing to make reasonable efforts to expedite litigation consistent with the interests of her client.

Engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.

The Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.

According to a disciplinary petition filed by the administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, the respondent is accused of engaging in misconduct by making false statements to his employer, displaying a lack of diligence, failing to promptly handle legal proceedings, and dismissing a case without proper authority. Additionally, the respondent is alleged to have committed acts involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation through the unauthorized use of a credit card.

The petition to impose discipline states:

“Respondent filled out and caused to be entered a November 22, 2019 trial call order dismissing the case without prejudice. At that time, Respondent had not received authorization from Pace’s General Counsel, or anyone else at Pace, to dismiss the case. Between December 2020 and February 2021, Respondent recorded false entries in a file memorandum and a spreadsheet regarding her purported work on the Falcon case, falsely claiming that Respondent was waiting to enter a dismissal order until after she received payment for a settlement.”

The petition to impose discipline continues:

“On or about November 18, 2021, Respondent provided Alotaibi with an update on the purported eviction matter in which she falsely told him that the tenant failed to appear in court on that date. On or shortly after December 2, 2021, Respondent created a court order, purporting to give the defendant in the eviction matter until December 2, 2021, to respond to the eviction complaint and set the matter for a status hearing on December 6, 2021. The order purported to have been entered by “Judge Thomas Meyer, ” though there was no such judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County at the time. Respondent then sent the false order to Alotaibi.”

In lieu of the aforementioned violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct, the Supreme Court of Illinois decided to suspend the respondent from the practice of law.

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 Tara Marie Grimm is suspended from the practice of law for one (1) year until further order of the Court. Order entered by the Court.”

Ms. Grimm practices in Schaumburg, Illinois. She is licensed in Illinois. Her info can be found on avvo.com.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.