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Illinois Clears Total Attorneys of Ethics Charges

By Robert J. Ambrogi

The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission yesterday notified Chicago-based Total Attorneys that its investigation of the company found no ethics violations. Connecticut lawyer Zenas Zelotes filed a a complaint last spring against the company's president, Chicago attorney Kevin Chern, alleging that the company's legal marketing program violated state ethical rules. As we've noted here before, Zelotes has filed versions of his 303-page complaint against more than 500 lawyers in 47 states. He alleges that these lawyers are obtaining referrals through and sharing fees with Total Attorneys in violation of legal ethics rules. In Zelotes' home state of Connecticut, the state's chief disciplinary counsel found cause in the complaint to file charges against five attorneys there. The state's attorney grievance committee opened hearings last month on the charges. But Illinois' decision to dismiss the complaint makes it the fourth state to find in favor of Total Attorneys, according to information provided by the company. Hawaii and Alaska already determined that there was no basis for action on the complaints, while a North Carolina panel dismissed a complaint against Chern for the alleged unauthorized practice of law. No state has ruled against Total Attorneys or any of its attorney clients. The...

Full post as published by Legal Blog Watch on December 10, 2009 (boomark / email).