* Tribune in April…
A former Republican nominee for Illinois attorney general, downstate lawyer Thomas DeVore, should have his law license suspended for 60 days for a series of infractions, including having a sexual relationship with a client whom he represented in challenging Gov. JB Pritzker’s COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, a legal disciplinary hearing board has recommended.
DeVore, who became well-known for spearheading legal fights over pandemic mandates before his unsuccessful 2022 run for attorney general, began dating a married Springfield salon owner shortly after sending letters challenging the pandemic mandates to government agencies on her behalf in May 2020, according to an Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission hearing board report issued Monday.
The two began a sexual relationship sometime that June, though the exact date was disputed in testimony before the board at a December 2024 hearing.
DeVore argued the sexual relationship with Riley Craig began after his initial work for Craig ended and before his work representing her in other legal matters began. But the hearing board found evidence showing “an unbroken continuation of his attorney-client relationship,” including DeVore preparing pleadings in Craig’s divorce case filed by a law firm associate.
* ARDC at the time…
The Administrator charged Respondent with violating Rules 1.7(a)(2), 1.8(a), 1.8(j), 3.1, 3.4(c), 4.2, 4.4(a), and 8.4(d) by engaging in a conflict of interest and sexual relationship with a current client, entering into a prohibited business transaction with that client, copying the client on an email disparaging her, bringing frivolous chancery and order of protection proceedings against the client with no substantial purpose other than to embarrass, burden, or delay her, knowingly disobeying the automatic stay in the client’s bankruptcy case, emailing the client twice about her bankruptcy despite knowing she was represented by another attorney in that matter, and being sanctioned by the bankruptcy court for his conduct. The Hearing Board found that Respondent engaged in all of the alleged misconduct except the Rule 3.4 charges and some of the Rule 3.1 and Rule 4.4(a) charges. The Hearing Board recommended a 60-day suspension based on the proven Rule violations, substantial mitigating factors, and absence of aggravating factors.
In my own opinion, the ARDC let him off easy, which they do a lot.
* And now comes the Illinois Supreme Court…
MISCELLANEOUS RECORD
M.R.032700 - In re: Thomas Guy DeVore. Disciplinary Commission.
Motion by the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission to approve and confirm the report and recommendation of the Hearing Board. Allowed. Respondent Thomas Guy DeVore is suspended from the practice of law for sixty (60) days.
Suspension effective October 10, 2025.
Respondent Thomas Guy DeVore shall reimburse the Client Protection Program Trust Fund for any Client Protection payments arising from his conduct prior to the termination of the period of suspension.
Order entered by the Court.
More here.
* DeVore said nothing about his suspension on his Facebook page. His followers will remain ignorant.
The failed attorney general candidate and current candidate for Republican state central committeeman did, however, blow his stack at Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski for saying kind words about his recent meeting with DeVore’s arch-enemy Rep. Charlie Meier. Click here to read it. A few not safe for work phrases, but the sweaty cope is utterly hilarious.
- JoanP - Tuesday, Sep 23, 25 @ 9:03 am:
He can’t even spell Dabrowski’s name correctly.
Also, if Meier is being paid off for his votes and DeVore knows who’s doing that, perhaps he should notify the relevant authorities, rather than bloviate.
- fs - Tuesday, Sep 23, 25 @ 9:23 am:
== In my own opinion, the ARDC let him off easy, which they do a lot.==
They absolutely did. I can’t help but wonder if they believed disbarring him would end up with him filing a lawsuit. He would lose, but it would still be a headache, so (in my theories of possibilities), they gave him a stiffer penalty than their weakest slap on the wrist, but didn’t bring the big hammer down.
- Homebody - Tuesday, Sep 23, 25 @ 9:26 am:
Regardless of my opinions of DeVore personally or politically, I definitely agree with Rich that attorneys in general are not policed for ethical violations are rigorously as they should be.
The sheer number of filings that violate Rule 137(a) for not being well founded (usually due to not performing “reasonable inquiry”) or being filed for improper purpose is ridiculous. Every practicing attorney knows it is true, but everyone just shrugs and says “oh well, that’s just how the game is played” while ignoring the fact that it is a literal ethical violation.
- walker - Tuesday, Sep 23, 25 @ 9:33 am:
“”His followers will remain ignorant.””
Ouch
- Amalia - Tuesday, Sep 23, 25 @ 9:37 am:
so 6 counts filed against him, hearing board finds yes on 5, recommends 60 days, it goes to the SC and he’s suspended for 60 days. I’m comparing that to a case for a former ASA conduct during ASA work where the ASA had multiple instances of saying out bounds things during trial which went to Federal court AND lying about a matter from a Bar Association when running for judge. Which case is worse? One got 60 days. the other was initially found as nothing by the hearing board then appealed and got 30 days. Overall the ARDC may be lenient but by comparison this guy got what was coming.
- Big Tent - Tuesday, Sep 23, 25 @ 9:44 am:
Walker…..they always have been…..
- fs - Tuesday, Sep 23, 25 @ 9:56 am:
== Which case is worse? ==
Devore not only had an unethical relationship with a client, something a first year law student knows you cannot do, but to that same client he attempted to abuse the Bankruptcy procedures to damage her. Conduct that was so bad that the Bankruptcy judge, a very well respected Judge, is the one who filed the ardc complaint. If you think that isn’t a big deal, you’re either not an attorney, or are one that needs to take some ethics cle courses.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Tuesday, Sep 23, 25 @ 9:58 am:
You hear a lot that attorneys can only be disbarred for messing with their client’s money, but what do you call this? Honestly, the ARDC seems to just throw the book at powerless attorneys who mess up and capitulates to anyone with any sort of power (money, political influence, ect.).
- Pundent - Tuesday, Sep 23, 25 @ 10:05 am:
Devore will wear this suspension like a badge of honor. Suspensions give you street cred particularly when they’re handed out by radical judges. Upholding and respecting the law is for suckers. Heck his hero has a framed picture of his mug shot in his office.
- champaign lite - Tuesday, Sep 23, 25 @ 10:18 am:
An Assistant in the Edgar County SA got the same suspension for stealing 10k from the Champaign County Bar Association. No criminal charges tho.
- Chicagonk - Tuesday, Sep 23, 25 @ 10:23 am:
I have no idea what the client saw in Tom Devore