On Thursday, September 8, 2022, Joliet attorney Blake Erin Stone filed his Motion seeking to have his name stricken from Illinois’ roll of attorneys before the Supreme Court of Illinois, amid pending allegations for misconduct.

The case, titled In the Matter of Blake Erin Stone, was brought by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, under Commission No. 2022PR00075.

The charges cited Rules 1.3, 1.16(d), 8.1(a), and 8.4(c) of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct.

Stone has allegedly violated the above-cited rules by:

failing to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client;

his failure upon termination of representation, to take steps to the extent reasonably practicable to protect a client’s interests, by refunding any advance payment of fee or expense that has not been earned or incurred;

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

knowingly making a false statement of material fact in connection with a lawyer disciplinary matter.

The Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.

Filed contemporaneously with Stone’s motion is a Statement of Charges prepared by the Administrator and his Affidavit in support of his motion.

The following are as alleged and summarized from the Statement of Charges:

Movant, Blake Erin Stone, was the subject of the Administrator’s investigation of allegations of Stone’s lack of diligence and neglect of client matters. Stone was also alleged to have made misrepresentations to clients, a court, and the Administrator. Stone was further alleged to have failed to refund approximately $16,000 in unearned fees.

The Affidavit states:

“Affiant has received and reviewed a copy of the Administrator’s statement of charges that are pending against him. If the matter proceeded to hearing, the Administrator would present the evidence described in the statement of charges, and that evidence would clearly and convincingly establish the facts and conclusions of misconduct set forth in the statement of charge.”

Moreover, Stone stipulated in his Affidavit that the motion was freely and voluntarily made and that he understood the nature and consequences of the motion.

Stone respectfully requested that the Court enter an order striking his name from the rolls.

Mr. Blake Erin Stone attended the Northern Illinois University College of Law. He has practiced in Joliet, Illinois. He has been licensed in Illinois. His info can be found on Avvo.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.