The former executive director of a community group on Chicago's South Side is suing a one-time lawyer and Chicago business alleging legal malpractice.
Georgette Greenlee filed a lawsuit April 2 in the Cook County Circuit Court against Vanessa Lynn Smith and Vantage Solutions LLC, claiming they did not properly advise her on issues she was dealing with when she was the executive director of The Woodlawn Organization.
The Woodlawn Organization, according to its website, "is a not-for-profit community based organization that consist of an alliance of block clubs, churches, tenant counsels and other civic and institutional entities."
According to the suit, Smith and Vantage Solutions were hired to help coach and support the organization's managers through a financial crisis on Oct. 19, 2010.
Greenlee claims the defendants failed to disclose all information in regards to the legal claims the organization could have filed to protect itself from unpaid employees. As a result of the alleged negligence, Greenlee contends she incurred liability for attorney's fees in defending herself to the former employees of The Woodlawn Organization.
The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission website shows that Smith was a one-time lawyer with Vantage Legal P.C., but that she is no longer authorized to practice law in the state because she is "not currently registered and has not demonstrated required ...compliance" with mandatory continuing legal education credits.
Greenlee is seeking damages, costs and further relief as the court deems just and proper. She is being represented in the case by Chicago attorneys Christopher C. Kendall and J'Aimee C. Crockett of Law Office of Christopher C. Kendall P.C.
Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2014L003759.
This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Cook County Courthouse. 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.