University attorney suspended
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Issue date: 10/7/09 Section: News
The Illinois Supreme Court has issued a 90-day suspension to Bruce Biagini, a Macomb attorney, who has represented Western Illinois University since the early 1990s and serves as the school's ethics officer, for an ethical lapse.
The suspension will begin on Oct. 13, 2009.
According to a list of disbarred and suspended lawyers compiled on the Illinois State Bar Association Web site, "Mr. Biagini, who was licensed in 1972, was suspended after he advised clients to enter into a transaction where they would sell their father's home to Mr. Biagini's business partner, who was related to Mr. Biagini's wife."
"He advised them to then purchase the house from the business partner pursuant to a contract for deed. He failed to disclose the business and family relationship to the clients," the report said.
The Illinois Supreme Court reviewed Biagini's case Tuesday, Sept. 22, stating, "Biagini shall reimburse the Client Protection Program Trust Fund for any Client Protection payments arising from his conduct prior to the termination of the period of suspension."
According to Peter Rotskoff, Branch Manager of Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of Illinois, degrees of punishment for attorneys tend to "run the gamut."
"We generally handle 6,000 pieces of correspondence a year, they're not always complaints, but the vast majority of complaints come from clients," he added.
Rotskoff declined to comment on the specifics of the Biagini case.
As Ethics Officer, Biagini has served as the liaison between the university and the Illinois Office of Executive Inspector General. He has enforced the annual ethics test for university employees and has been charged with investigating any alleged violations.
The university released a statement, appointing Heidi Benson, University co-legal counsel, to serve primary university attorney and ethics officer.
"The university has transferred duties to Heidi Benson, and as with all personnel and contractual matters, the university is currently reviewing the suspension, which begins October 13," said Darcie Shinberger, director of University Relations.
She added that Benson would also serve as the ethics officer during the suspension and handle all ethics complaints, while Jackie Thompson, vice president for the Administrative Services Department, will serve as primary contact.
The university's current legal contract is with Flack McRaven & Stephens, where they have worked with several attorneys. Biagini has worked there since 1990.
Biagini obtained a law degree from the University of Illinois in 1971 and worked as the City Attorney for Macomb from 1973-91.
Furthermore, he has acted as General Counsel for Western Illinois University since 1994 and was appointed university ethics officer in 2004.
Biagini was unavailable for comment.
The suspension will begin on Oct. 13, 2009.
According to a list of disbarred and suspended lawyers compiled on the Illinois State Bar Association Web site, "Mr. Biagini, who was licensed in 1972, was suspended after he advised clients to enter into a transaction where they would sell their father's home to Mr. Biagini's business partner, who was related to Mr. Biagini's wife."
"He advised them to then purchase the house from the business partner pursuant to a contract for deed. He failed to disclose the business and family relationship to the clients," the report said.
The Illinois Supreme Court reviewed Biagini's case Tuesday, Sept. 22, stating, "Biagini shall reimburse the Client Protection Program Trust Fund for any Client Protection payments arising from his conduct prior to the termination of the period of suspension."
According to Peter Rotskoff, Branch Manager of Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of Illinois, degrees of punishment for attorneys tend to "run the gamut."
"We generally handle 6,000 pieces of correspondence a year, they're not always complaints, but the vast majority of complaints come from clients," he added.
Rotskoff declined to comment on the specifics of the Biagini case.
As Ethics Officer, Biagini has served as the liaison between the university and the Illinois Office of Executive Inspector General. He has enforced the annual ethics test for university employees and has been charged with investigating any alleged violations.
The university released a statement, appointing Heidi Benson, University co-legal counsel, to serve primary university attorney and ethics officer.
"The university has transferred duties to Heidi Benson, and as with all personnel and contractual matters, the university is currently reviewing the suspension, which begins October 13," said Darcie Shinberger, director of University Relations.
She added that Benson would also serve as the ethics officer during the suspension and handle all ethics complaints, while Jackie Thompson, vice president for the Administrative Services Department, will serve as primary contact.
The university's current legal contract is with Flack McRaven & Stephens, where they have worked with several attorneys. Biagini has worked there since 1990.
Biagini obtained a law degree from the University of Illinois in 1971 and worked as the City Attorney for Macomb from 1973-91.
Furthermore, he has acted as General Counsel for Western Illinois University since 1994 and was appointed university ethics officer in 2004.
Biagini was unavailable for comment.
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