The Supreme Court of Illinois has disbarred Chicago-based attorney Benjamin Obi Nwoye after finding him guilty of multiple counts of professional misconduct.
According to disciplinary orders issued during the court’s January term and filed on March 15, 2013, Nwoye, who was licensed to practice law in Illinois in 2001, was permanently removed from the legal profession.
The court found that Nwoye neglected at least five client matters and failed to keep his clients adequately informed about the status of their cases. He was also accused of abandoning his legal practice entirely and refusing to cooperate with the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission during its investigation.
In addition, the court determined that he engaged in dishonest conduct in relation to two client matters. Nwoye failed to appear at his disciplinary hearing, further compounding the violations against him.
The disbarment forms part of a broader disciplinary action by the Illinois Supreme Court, which sanctioned several lawyers for breaching professional ethics rules. The court reiterated its commitment to maintaining integrity and accountability within the legal profession.
Disbarment is the most severe penalty for attorney misconduct in Illinois and results in the permanent loss of a lawyer’s license to practice law in the state.
