Illinois State Bar Association Mutual Insurance Co (ISBA) files declaratory action against insured Attorney Patricia Sharkey in a Seawall Suit. Attorney Sharkey is accused of malpractice in this case and sanctions are also being sought.
The underlying case alleges that Attorney Sharkey and others engaged in "intentional and conspiratorial conduct" in the seawall case, according to the complaint. Sharkey is a director and legal representative for the Long Beach Community Alliance, which successfully opposed the construction of the seawalls. The Indiana case accuses her of concealing conflicts of interest between herself and the Long Beach Community Alliance.
According to the ISBA, "The policy does not cover a claim for conspiracy to violate substantive due process rights based on conduct warranting the imposition of punitive damages as alleged in count III [of the federal case], and does not involve a ‘wrongful act’”.