On Thursday, January 23, 2025, the Supreme Court of Illinois suspended attorney Lauren Elizabeth Moynihan from practicing law for thirty days. This decision was made following a petition submitted by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC).
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Lauren Elizabeth Moynihan,” with case no. M.R.032511.
Moynihan was previously employed by the United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. Her role involved investigating complaints of alleged violations of federal civil rights laws in education. However, her license to practice law faced complications when she failed to meet annual registration and continuing legal education (CLE) requirements, resulting in her removal from the roll of attorneys authorized to practice law in Illinois in May 2021.
Despite her removal, Moynihan continued to provide legal services in her capacity as a General Attorney until June 2023. Throughout this period, she identified herself as an attorney in both oral and written communications, misleading various parties regarding her legal status. It was not until her supervisors requested proof of her authorization to practice law that Moynihan acknowledged her non-compliance with the registration requirements.
In June 2023, Moynihan rectified her registration status by paying outstanding fees and completing her overdue CLE requirements, which allowed her to be restored to the roll of attorneys. However, her actions during the period of unauthorized practice raised significant concerns regarding her adherence to professional conduct standards.
The ARDC’s petition for discipline noted that Moynihan had no prior record of disciplinary action and had acknowledged her misconduct. The petition also highlighted that she had been dealing with mental health issues during the time of her violations and was receiving treatment for these conditions. In light of these factors, the ARDC recommended a suspension of thirty days, which aligns with precedents set by similar cases in the past.
The Supreme Court of Illinois ultimately approved the petition, confirming that Moynihan would be suspended from practicing law for thirty days until further order of the Court. This ruling aims to uphold the integrity of the legal profession while allowing for the possibility of Moynihan’s return to practice in the future, should her circumstances change.
According to avvo.com, Ms. Moynihan is an attorney in Chicago, Illinois. She acquired her law license in Illinois in 2005.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
