Illinois: Attorney’s Employment Ad Leads to Ethics Violation

In Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission v. Samir Zia Chowhan, Commission No.09 CH 53, a lawyer was disciplined for violating Rule 8.1 (a)(1), making a false statement, and Rule 8.4(a)(4), conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct and Illinois Supreme Court Rule 770, conduct which tends to defeat the administration of justice or bring the courts or legal profession into disrepute; among other violations.

The Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission had requested a review of this case before a Hearing Board.

Attorney Chowhan submitted an employment advertisement with the website CraigsList. The advertisement was explaining a legal secretary position that required paralegal and secretarial skills with on the job training. The advertisement asked for a resume, pictures, and interestingly, also asked for measurements. Ms. Dickenson responded to the advertisement with her resume, pictures, and physical description. Chowhan later responded that the position would require her to “have sexual interaction with me and my partner, sometimes together sometimes separate.” He also wrote that she would need to dress provocatively. He went on to say that during the interview “you’ll be required to perform for us sexually.”

Ms. Dickenson reported this to the Administrator of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, which in turn started an investigation. Chowhan would go on to deny posting the job advertisement and claimed that someone else had maliciously posted the advertisement. Later, he would admit to the posting.

This case is a peculiar example of how a lawyer allows the power of his position to pressure and intimidate others. The case demonstrates the importance of being vigilant in maintaining the integrity of the legal process and system to ensure the honor of our profession and not allowing our own egos diminish our devotion to law.