The Supreme Court of Illinois delivered a resounding message on Thursday, September 21, 2023, as it ordered the removal of attorney Jan R. Kowalski’s name from the roll of attorneys. The court’s decision came in response to Kowalski’s misconduct, specifically his involvement in concealing assets from a bankruptcy trustee.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Jan R. Kowalski,” with case no. 2023PR00047.
The charges cited violations of the United States Code and Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct rules 152(1), 8.4(b), and (c) which state:
Knowingly and fraudulently conceals from a custodian, trustee, marshal, or other officer of the court charged with the control or custody of property, or, in connection with a case under title 11, from creditors or the United States Trustee, any property belonging to the estate of a debtor;
Commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects;
Engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
The charges stemmed from a scheme to defraud creditors by making false representations and claims in bankruptcy documents filed on behalf of her brother, Robert M. Kowalski. Kowalski eventually pled guilty to concealing assets from a bankruptcy trustee in March 2022. The guilty plea resulted in a judgment of conviction in June 2023, sentencing her to 37 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, during which she is prohibited from practicing law. Additionally, she was ordered to pay restitution of $357,492.92.
In line with this, Kowalski filed a motion pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 762(a) in the Supreme Court of Illinois. In this motion, she expresses her desire to have her name removed from the roll of attorneys.
The court allowed this motion, and it took effect immediately. This action effectively removed Jan R. Kowalski from the list of practicing attorneys in Illinois.
According to Avvo, Ms. Kowalski was a divorce and separation attorney in Chicago, Illinois. She attended the John Marshall Law School, graduating in 1992. She acquired her law license in Illinois in 2007.
A copy of an original filing can be found here.
