A Judge Removed: An Analysis of the Misconduct and Removal of Thomas F. Rathbun
The judiciary is held to a high standard of conduct to ensure public trust in the justice system. When a judge’s actions fall short of these standards, it is the role of an independent body to investigate and, if necessary, administer discipline. Such was the case with Thomas F. Rathbun, Jr., a Justice of the […]
From Judge’s Bench to Suspenders: The story of Robert Knox Adrian’s Two-Year Suspension
Following a hearing on a complaint filed by the Judicial Inquiry Board, the Illinois Courts Commission removed a judge from office for (1) reversing his finding that a defendant was guilty of sexual assault to circumvent the law requiring a mandatory prison sentence; (2) giving false and misleading testimony in the discipline proceedings when he […]
When Judges Cross the Line: The Mark Grisanti Ethics Scandal
When the name of a judge appears in disciplinary headlines, the public pays attention. That was exactly the case for Judge Mark J. Grisanti of Buffalo, New York, whose 2020 late-night street dispute quickly escalated into a spectacle involving his wife, angry neighbors, and responding police officers. What unfolded not only landed on body cameras […]
Judge Erin Gall’s Fall from Grace: How a Graduation Party Altercation Ended Her Judicial Career
In the summer of 2022, what should have been an ordinary high school graduation party in New Hartford, New York, became the beginning of the end for State Supreme Court Justice Erin P. Gall. An altercation involving uninvited teenagers escalated into a confrontation that would later cost her not only her seat on the bench […]
USPTO Suspends Patent Attorney Jerry D. Haynes for Ethical Violations
Trust is the bedrock of the legal profession especially when it comes to patent practice, where clients rely heavily on attorneys to guide complex legal processes. In the case of Jerry D. Haynes, a North Miami patent attorney, ethical trust faltered. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) imposed serious disciplinary sanctions after finding […]
Illinois Attorney Suspended After False Claims Against Federal Judge
Attorney discipline cases often reveal the fine line between zealous advocacy and professional misconduct. In Illinois, that line was crossed when Brian Keith Sides, a Champaign-based lawyer admitted in 2002, made reckless and unfounded statements about the integrity of a federal bankruptcy judge. The Illinois Supreme Court responded with an immediate suspension, reinforcing the importance […]
Breach of Trust: The Disciplinary Case of Illinois Attorney Philip Edwin Koenig
Attorney discipline cases serve as an important reminder of the legal profession’s core values: honesty, trust, and fiduciary duty. In 2022, the Illinois Supreme Court addressed serious allegations against Philip Edwin Koenig, an attorney licensed since 1975, who was accused of misappropriating client funds. Although no clients ultimately suffered financial loss, the case highlights why […]
Suspension Amid Conviction: The Case of Attorney Taylor Wayne Casey
Maintaining public trust demands that attorneys uphold both legal and ethical standards both inside and outside the courtroom. The recent case involving Taylor Wayne Casey, a Jacksonville-based lawyer, underscores how serious criminal convictions can trigger automatic disciplinary actions and jeopardize one’s legal career. The Florida Bar v. Casey, SC2025-0596 (Fla. May 7, 2025) Notice of […]
Florida Supreme Court Disbars Attorney Pamela Therese Calderon for Misappropriating Client Funds
The legal profession places trust and fiduciary responsibility at its core. Attorneys who manage client funds must handle them with the utmost care, as even minor lapses can erode public confidence in the justice system. The recent disciplinary case of Pamela Therese Calderon, a Florida attorney admitted to practice in 1991, illustrates the devastating consequences […]
The Disbarment of Nat John Azznara: A Cautionary Tale of Fiduciary Breach and Felony Conviction
Attorney discipline serves as a safeguard to protect the public, maintain confidence in the legal profession, and uphold the integrity of the courts. The case of Nat John Azznara, a New York attorney, is a striking example of how criminal convictions and fiduciary breaches can permanently end a legal career. Disbarred in 2010 after a […]