Harvey Park District sues attorneys over alleged malpractice in labor case

A Cook County park district is suing a legal team it claims failed to properly represent it in a labor case.

Harvey Park District filed suit July 8 in Cook County Circuit Court against The Stuttley Group LLC in Harvey, and attorneys Michael W. Stuttley, Shavonna Hunter and Kimberley D. Searcy, alleging legal malpractice.

According to the complaint, the park district hired the defendants in January 2013 to represent it in an unfair labor case.

The plaintiff claims the defendants breached their duty to exercise a reasonable defense in the matter in several aspects, including failing to timely file a response, which resulted in it waiving its right to a hearing in the case.

The park district also claims the defendants failed to thoroughly investigate and answer the litigation to bring about a prompt resolution.

According to the complaint, Harvey Park District did not learn about the alleged legal malpractice until December, when it became too late to mount a proper defense, and on April 16, a judge ruled against it in the labor case.

Despite the defendants' alleged malpractice, Harvey Park District claims it was sent a bill for legal services that did not match the services it was provided.

The plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of the minimum jurisdictional amount and any other relief deemed permissible. It is being represented by Rosemont attorney Eydie R. Glassman of Glassman Law Offices.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2014L007154.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court. 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 represents only one side of the story.