Partner's Exit of IP Boutique for Own Firm Leads to $58K Sanction and Ethics Case re Documents
A then-partner’s exit from an intellectual property boutique in Chicago proved to be expensive, when an Illinois judge sanctioned him nearly $60,000 for destroying documents he had taken from Ladas & Perry.
And, in addition to being ordered to pay $58,819.74 to Ladas & Perry, Woochoon William Park is also facing a legal ethics complaint filed earlier this month with the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.
It contends that he downloaded 75,000 electronic files from Ladas & Perry between January and May 2010, when he was still a partner there, while simultaneously making plans to establish his competing William Park & Associates.
The complaint says the downloaded documents included a client directory, client files and forms and templates. It also contends that Park neglected some client matters during the years when he was still working at Ladas.
Hat tip: Legal Profession Blog.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Bar Board Nixes Discipline for Associate Who Looked at Mintz Levin Docs Anticipating Personal Suit”