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| Local Attorney Suspended From Practicing Law |
A Galesburg attorney faces a three month suspension after members of the Illinois Supreme Court found that some of her actions in a case almost four years ago were determined to be contrary to the interests of her client.
Kimberly Norton has been suspended from practicing law beginning October 12th and was also ordered to reimburse the Client Protection Program Trust Fund for payments arising from her conduct prior to the end of the suspension.
A complaint was filed by the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission in 2007 and claimed that Norton had communicated with a represented party, suppressed evidence, and engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit and misrepresentation.
Norton represented Christopher Mixon in mid-2006 on murder charges. The ARDC claimed Norton interviewed Anthony Bell who was also charged in the murder, at the Knox County Jail without the knowledge of Bell's attorney. She then allegedly failed to turn over videotaped testimony which was subpoenaed. Mixon's conviction in the trial was eventually overturned on the basis of ineffective counsel.
A hearing board recommended the suspension after reviewing evidence and testimony from character witnesses who spoke about Norton's good reputation of honesty and integrity and her contributions to the community.
The board said they do not believe that she intended to harm her client but a suspension was necessary.
Calls seeking comment from Norton at her office have not yet been returned. |
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| 09 25 09 by Newsroom |
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