Arnstein & Lehr, lawyers hit with malpractice claim by area doctor

A Chicago doctor is suing an area law firm and three lawyers, claiming their alleged negligence and misconduct in representing him caused him to lose millions.

Dr. Michael Morgenstern filed the lawsuit Nov. 25 in Cook County Circuit Court against Arnstein & Lehr and three lawyers.

He alleges that Thomas P. Conley, Tracey A. Salinski and Theresia E. Wolf-McKenzie, all of whom worked at the firm at the time of the alleged incident, failed to represent him when his business partners attempted to cut him out of their business venture, and  offered legal counsel to his business partners that damaged him professionally.

According to the claim, Morgenstern retained the firm to help him and his colleague, physical therapist Jack Chozden, form a business venture called North Chicago Medical with Dr. Ronald Silver.

Arnstein & Lehr was selected to represent the new entity, and defendant Wolf-McKenzie warned the three men of potential conflicts of interest between Morgenstern, Chozden and North Chicago Medical, the suit states.

When Morgenstern fell ill, he contends Chozden and Silver began plotting to sever ties with him. He claims the defendants began advising Chozden and Silver without notifying him of the meetings, and refused to provide him with documents when requested.

Morgenstern seeks damages in excess of $30,000, plus court fees, and is represented by attorneys Irving B. Levinson and Eric L. Routman.

Cook County Circuit Court case number: 2014L012343.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at Cook County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note that 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.***