Former client accuses The Margolis Firm of conversion regarding escrow account

Tommie Gills filed suit Oct. 18 in the Cook County Circuit Court on Oct. 18 against attorney Jordan L. Margolis and The Margolis Firm.

According to Gills, he was injured sometime prior to April 2012, and his insurance provider gave him $14,122.04 as a conditional partial payment.

Gills claims he was represented by Margolis at this time, and the check issued by his insurance provider went to Margolis, who was supposed to hold the money in escrow.

Gills alleges that on Dec. 24, 2012, the balance of his escrow account was $809.37, which compelled the conclusion that Margolis had misappropriated the funds for his own personal or business purposes.

Gills claims he subsequently fired Margolis and hired Charles J. Candiano, who contacted Margolis in regards to the funds, but that a resolution could not be reached.

Now, Gills has commenced his lawsuit against Margolis, accusing him of breaching the fiduciary duty he owed Gills by converting the funds.

Gills is seeking more than $50,000 in damages. He is represented by Candiano.

The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission lists Candiano as an attorney with the Candiano Law Office, but The Margolis Firm website shows a bio for Candiano on its website. It's unclear when he left that firm.

Circuit Court of Cook County Case No. 2013L011600.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.