On Monday, August 8, 2022, the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission filed a three-count complaint for attorney discipline against Palos Heights attorney Raed A. Shalabi alleging conflict of interest with current client; unauthorized practice of law, and attempting to release respondent’s liability and to limit a client’s right to pursue an ARDC complaint. 

The case, titled ‘In the Matter of Raed A. Shalabi,’ is being heard by the Illinois Supreme Court with case number  #2022PR00062.

The Complaint cites Shalabi’s violations of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct particularly Rule 1.1, 1.4(b), 1.7(a)2, 1.8(a), 1.8(h)(1) and (2), 1.16(d), 3.4(c), 4.4(a), 5.5(a), 8.4(c) and (h).

The following are some of the allegations in the complaint, to wit:

“Representing a client when there is a significant risk that the representation of the client will be materially limited by a personal interest of the lawyer, by conduct including purchasing the Khalils’ foreclosed Lockport property under his firm’s name while he was representing the Khalils in connection with their efforts to remain at the property and regain ownership, in violation of Rule 1.7(a)(2) of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct (2010).

Conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, by conduct including failing to advise the Khalils that legal title to the Lockport property had been conveyed to AH & Group and by continuing to charge and accept rent payments from the Khalils in connection with the property after his firm no longer owned the property, in violation of Rule 8.4(c) of the same Rule.

Failing to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation, by conduct including not advising Tamer Jaraba for over eight months that Respondent was not admitted to United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois and not authorized to appear or file pleadings in case number 16-3104, in violation of Rule 1.4(b).

Practicing law in a jurisdiction in violation of the regulation of the legal profession in that jurisdiction, by conduct including causing pleadings to be filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois where he was not admitted to the practice of law, in violation of Rule 5.5(a).

Entering into an agreement with a client or former client limiting or purporting to limit the right of the client or former client to file or pursue any complaint before the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (“ARDC”), by conduct including having Tamer Jabara sign the release dated June 1, 2019, which included Tamer Jaraba’s purported agreement not to file a complaint with the ARDC from any actions that arose out of the civil forfeiture matter, in violation of Rule 8.4(h).

The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission requests that their complaint be “referred to a panel of the Hearing Board of the Commission, that a hearing be conducted, and that the Hearing Panel make findings of fact, conclusions of fact and law, and a recommendation for such discipline as is warranted.”

Mr. Shalabi’s law firm is Raed Shalabi Ltd. and is a practicing lawyer in Palos Heights, Illinois with license #6290732.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.