On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, the Supreme Court of Illinois allowed a petition by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission to impose reciprocal discipline on attorney Brian Dooley Kent. As a result, Kent has been suspended from practicing law in Illinois for one year, effective December 10, 2025, and until he is reinstated to the practice of law in Pennsylvania.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Brian Dooley Kent,” with case no. M.R.032757.
The disciplinary action stems from Kent’s suspension by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania on May 23, 2025. The Pennsylvania order suspended Kent for three years, with the first year to be actively served and the remaining two years stayed by two years of conditional probation.
The Pennsylvania disciplinary case arose from Kent’s representation of a client who alleged abuse by members of the Church of Scientology. According to the Joint Petition in Support of Discipline on Consent filed in Pennsylvania, Kent engaged in a personal and sexual relationship with his client during the course of representation. The Pennsylvania authorities found that this conduct substantially impaired the attorney-client relationship, misused his position of trust as an advocate for victims of abuse, and took advantage of a vulnerable client.
Specifically, the Pennsylvania authorities found that Kent violated Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct 1.7(a)(2) (concurrent conflict of interest), 1.8(j) (sexual relations with a client), and 1.16(a)(1) (failure to withdraw from representation when a conflict of interest arose).
The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission argued that Kent’s conduct warranted reciprocal discipline in Illinois, citing Illinois Supreme Court Rule 763, which allows for similar discipline to be imposed in Illinois when an attorney is disciplined in another jurisdiction. The Administrator noted that Kent was admitted to practice law in Illinois on December 18, 2006, and his license was active with a last-registered business address in Philadelphia.
The Administrator further argued that the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct violated by Kent were similar to the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct 1.7(a)(2), 1.8(j), and 1.16(a)(1). The Administrator cited several Illinois cases where attorneys were disciplined for similar conduct, including engaging in sexual relationships with clients.
In addition to the suspension, the Illinois Supreme Court ordered Kent to reimburse the Client Protection Program Trust Fund for any client protection payments arising from his conduct before the termination of his suspension.
The Disposition states:
“Petition by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission to impose reciprocal discipline pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 763(a)(I). Allowed. Respondent Brian Dooley Kent, who has been disciplined in the State of Pennsylvania, is suspended from the practice of law in the State of Illinois for one (1) year and until he is reinstated to the practice of law in the State of Pennsylvania.”
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Kent is a personal injury attorney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He acquired his law license in Illinois in 2006.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
