It has been a while since I have posted an entry into the "How not to practice law" series, a series of posts about incredibly stupid things that lawyers do. Past examples include the "typical" showing up drunk, judge having someone deciding case for them, lying and so on.
Today's story involves a lawyer who had the bright idea to place a secret camera in a colleague's office so he could record her changing clothes. When caught, he was indicted and charged with a felony, after which he pled guilty to a reduced charge. Now he is facing disciplinary charges for violating Illinois Rule 8.4(b) (committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty,
trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects.)
You can read the disciplinary complaint here and a summary here.
All kidding aside, though, it is often the case that many of the stories in the "how not to practice law" series involve personal issues such as addiction, alcoholism, inability to control urges (whether based on greed or sexual desire) and so on. That is troubling and sad, but lawyers need to know that their role requires professionalism, discipline and the ability to stay in control. If you or someone you know has these types of issues, get help. Bar associations have lawyer assistance programs or access to other alternative. Everybody makes mistakes; but often those mistakes will cost lawyers their livelihood.
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