Attorney Disbarred After Sexual Misconduct Allegations

A Highland Park attorney accused of sexual misconduct has been disbarred.

The Illinois State Supreme Court disbarred Paul M. Weiss, who had practiced law at the Complex Litigation Group for 12 years, earlier this month. Weiss had been found to have sexually harassed five female former employees, a neighbor and a woman he did not know who was walking down the street - according to the Cook County Record.

The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission began disciplinary proceedings against Weiss in 2008 stemming from a complaint that detailed claims of assault, battery, phone harassment, public indecency and disorderly conduct stemming from Weiss’ interactions with the women from 2000 to 2010.

He was specifically accused of asking the seven women to have sex with him, inappropriately touching them, repeatedly calling them at home and of exposing himself to them.

The discipline commission panel had only recommended a 30-month suspension for Weiss, claiming that while he “is a very bad risk” to reoffend, “the bulk” of his alleged misconduct “occurred quite some time ago” and Weiss “had done good work in his field of class action law.”

Weiss’ partner at the Complex group was Eric Freed, who has been embroiled in a court battle with the now disbarred attorney over the firm’s finances since it dissolved.

more via the Cook County Record