An Illinois attorney disciplinary complaint alleges a Joliet litigator took at least $348,000 from her law firm and used the money on personal expenses, including roughly $80,000 toward federal taxes, vacations to Disney World, and ax-throwing outings.
Illinois attorney disciplinary complaint outlines spending
The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission filed the complaint in August against Leslie Joy Allred, a former Joliet Area Young Professional of the Year. According to the filing, firm credit account statements were sent to Allred, who allegedly paid the monthly bills from the firm’s operating account. As of Aug. 18, the complaint states, the funds had not been repaid.
The complaint identifies Allred as the managing partner and co-owner of a firm that, until May 2025, operated as O’Dekirk, Allred & Rhodes. State attorney registration records list her bar status as retired.
Bob O’Dekirk, a former mayor of Joliet and one of Allred’s law partners, said he and another partner submitted the grievance to disciplinary authorities. Allred has also been noted as included in the National Trial Lawyers Association Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys, according to a Will County Bar Association article.
Big law firms have also faced discipline in recent years, including firms fined over alleged misstatements, as detailed in BigLaw firms fined $2M over alleged false statements.