More Illinois lawyers provided free legal services during the economic downturn according to the ARDC Annual Report. The report indicates that 29,276 Illinois attorneys provided a total of 2,328,770 pro bono legal service hours last year - a 6% increase over 2009.  The number of lawyers making monetary contributions increased 6% as well, with a total contribution of $15,266,660. Grievances against Illinois attorneys continue to decline. The Commission docketed 5,617 investigations, a 3.7% decrease from 2009 and the fewest number of docketed investigations in 18 years. The top three areas of a grievance involve problems with the client-attorney relationship including allegations of neglect (38% of all investigations), failing to communicate (21%) and conduct involving fraud or deceit (15%). Consistent with prior years, the top areas of practice most likely to lead to a grievance include criminal law, domestic relations, tort and real estate. The report shows that the Master Roll of Attorneys continues to increase. The lawyer population in Illinois rose to 86,657 as of Oct. 31, 2010. That does not include the 2,117 attorneys sworn-in in November. That total is a 2.2% increase over 2009. The counties with the greatest increase in attorney population include McHenry (3.2%), Will (2.5%), Lake (2.4%) and Cook (2.4%).

Disciplinary Sanctions

During 2010, the Supreme Court entered 148 sanctions against 148 lawyers and another 7 lawyers were reprimanded by the Hearing Board. A little over 43% of the sanctioned lawyers practiced in Cook County where more than 45% of Illinois lawyers practice. The county with the second highest percentage of sanctioned practitioners was DuPage (5%). More lawyers were disciplined for engaging in fraudulent or deceptive conduct than any other offense. Of those disciplined, 90% were men and almost 75% of all lawyers disciplined were between the ages of 50 and 74.

Client Protection Program

The Supreme Court of Illinois established the Client Protection Program (CPP) in 1994 to reimburse clients who lose money due to the dishonest conduct of lawyers who have been disciplined or have died. Through the end of 2010, the program has made $9,269,412 in total awards. The current maximum available award is $75,000 per claim and $750,000 in aggregate awards per lawyer. In 2010, CPP approved 89 claims against 30 lawyers and paid a total of $705,168 to claimants. Four awards were for the $75,000 maximum, and 51 were for $2,500 or less. Unearned fee claims constituted 73% of all award approvals and misappropriation of funds claims comprised 27% of approvals.

Ethics Assistance to the Bar

The ARDC’s Ethics Inquiry Program, a telephone inquiry resource, continues to serve Illinois attorneys who seek help in resolving hypothetical, ethical dilemmas. In 2010, ARDC staff lawyers responded to 4,606 ethics inquiries, an increase of 11% over the prior year and more than a 40% increase in the number of inquiries since 2006. Questions about a lawyer’s obligation to report professional misconduct continues to be the greatest area of inquiry. Read the full report at www.iardc.org