The Illinois Supreme Court has announced the filing of disciplinary orders involving a number of licensed lawyers. Sanctions were imposed because the lawyers engaged in professional misconduct by violating state ethics law. More information on each case is available at the
ARDC website.
DISBARRED
- William Charles Chesbrough, Elgin
Mr. Chesbrough, who was licensed in 1980, was disbarred. He misappropriated more than $113,000 that he was holding for a client in connection with the client’s deceased mother’s estate. In addition, in two separate real estate matters, he converted more than $28,000 that he was holding either as earnest money or to pay real estate taxes.
- Alan Samuel Cohen, St. Louis
Mr. Cohen was licensed in Missouri in 1992 and in Illinois in 1993. He was disbarred in Missouri for failing to maintain a client trust account and for using client and third party funds to pay office and personal expenses. The Illinois Supreme Court imposed reciprocal discipline and disbarred him.
- Joseph Patrick Collins, Chicago
Mr. Collins, who was licensed in 1975, was disbarred on consent. He was convicted in federal court of conspiracy, securities fraud and wire fraud. The conviction was based on his conduct while serving as outside counsel for Refco Inc., a commodities brokerage firm. Mr. Collins participated with others in an eight-year scheme to hide the company’s financial situation by making false and fraudulent statements to various parties, including banks, auditors, investors and the Securities Exchange Commission.
- C. Wayne K. Davis, St. Louis
Mr. Davis was licensed in Missouri in 1996 and in Illinois in 1999. He was disbarred in Missouri after a felony conviction. He misappropriated at least $25,000.00 from his employer, the Edward Jones Company. The Illinois Supreme Court imposed reciprocal discipline and disbarred him.
- Kelly Christine Garland, Chicago
Ms. Garland, who was licensed in 2002, was disbarred on consent. She falsified court orders and an affidavit in five different domestic relations matters in order to conceal from her clients the true status of their cases.
- Thaddeus James Hunt, Chicago
Mr. Hunt, who was licensed in 2002, was disbarred. He misappropriated $10,274.67 in client funds, neglected seven client matters, failed to communicate with clients and abandoned his law practice.
- Brainerd William LaTourette III, St. Louis
Mr. LaTourette was licensed in Missouri in 1982 and in Illinois in 1983. He was disbarred in Missouri for failing to perform his duties as trustee for a family trust, disobeying a court order, engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, and failing to participate in disciplinary proceedings against him. The Illinois Supreme Court imposed reciprocal discipline and disbarred him.
- James A. Reskin, Louisville, Ky.
Mr. Reskin, who was licensed in Illinois in 1982, was disbarred on consent. He was convicted in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma on charges of obstructing a criminal investigation by making false and misleading statements to the Internal Revenue Service and the United States Department of Justice.
- Kenneth Alan Runes, Mount Prospect
Mr. Runes, who was licensed in 1991, was disbarred. He misappropriated over $13,000 in client funds, neglected numerous client matters, failed to communicate with clients, failed to refund unearned fees, and did not cooperate with the ARDC investigation. Mr. Runes did not participate in his disciplinary hearing. He failed to participate in his disciplinary proceeding.
- Lawrence Scott Wick, Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.
Mr. Wick, who was licensed in Illinois in 1971, was disbarred. He billed more than $1 million to two corporate clients for work that he had never performed.
- Bradford Thomas Yaker, Bingham Farms, Mich.
Mr. Yaker was licensed in Illinois in 1988 and in Michigan in 1995. He was disbarred in Michigan for repeatedly representing to a client that he had filed a securities claim for the client when he had not done so. In addition, he falsely informed the client that he had reached a settlement in the matter and provided the client with a fictitious settlement agreement providing for a $30,000 payment. The Illinois Supreme Court imposed reciprocal discipline and disbarred him.