On Wednesday, September 21, 2022, the Supreme Court of Illinois ruled on the petition by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) to impose five months suspension against Chicago attorney Sidney Boyston Smith.

The ruling allowed the Petition by the Administrator of the ARDC to suspend Smith from the practice of law for five months.

The case, titled In the Matter of Sidney Boyston Smith was brought by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. Case #2021PR00048.

The charges cited rules of professional conduct Rule 8.4(c) of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct, which states:

It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.

The disciplinary matter involves a one-count complaint against Respondent alleging dishonesty in receiving annuity payments from the Municipal Employees Annuity and Benefit Fund (“MEABF”) by not providing notice of his mother’s death on November 22, 2012, to MEABF, resulting in the continued deposit of annuity payments into her Chase Bank account. Respondent used a portion of the funds to pay the mortgage and expenses of his mother’s condominium held in trust in which he and his brother had a beneficial interest.

On February 4, 2022, Respondent filed an Affidavit stating that the assertions in the Petition are true and complete, that he joined in the Petition freely and voluntarily, and that he understands the nature and consequences of the Petition.

In its Petition to Impose Discipline on Consent, the Administrator respectfully recommends that the Court enter an order suspending Respondent for five months.

Accordingly, in its Order dated September 21, 2022, the Supreme Court of Illinois, allowed the Petition by the Administrator.

Respondent Sidney Boyston Smith is suspended from the practice of law in the State of Illinois effective October 12, 2022. Respondent shall reimburse the Client Protection Program Trust Fund for any Client Protection payments arising from his conduct prior to the termination of the period of suspension.

Mr. Sidney Boyston Smith graduated from Howard University School of Law in 1985. He has been licensed in Illinois, license #6227144. His info can be found on LinkedIn.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.