In re Echeles

Decision Date07 October 1968
Docket NumberNo. 67 E 4.,67 E 4.
Citation291 F. Supp. 307
PartiesIn the Matter of Julius Lucius ECHELES, an attorney.
CourtU.S. District Court — Northern District of Illinois

Robert Collins, First Asst. U. S. Atty., for the Executive Committee.

Albert E. Jenner, Jr., Chicago, Ill., for respondent.

Before CAMPBELL, Chief Judge, PARSONS and WILL, District Judges, as the Executive Committee.

MEMORANDUM, FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND ORDER

CAMPBELL, Chief Judge.

The respondent Julius Lucius Echeles was admitted to practice before the bar of this court on November 13, 1947. On October 15, 1952 the respondent was indicted and charged in this court with using influence to obtain positions for various persons in the United States Post Office. After a trial by jury the respondent was convicted on all thirteen counts of the indictment. The convictions were affirmed by the Court of Appeals, (7 Cir., 222 F.2d 144). The Supreme Court of the United States denied respondent's petition for certiorari. (350 U.S. 828, 76 S.Ct. 58, 100 L.Ed. 739, rehearing denied 350 U.S. 905, 76 S.Ct. 176, 100 L.Ed. 795). On said conviction respondent entered a federal penitentiary in November 1955 where he remained until paroled in August 1956. Prior to entering prison respondent filed a motion in the Supreme Court of Illinois to strike his name from the roll of attorneys of the State of Illinois. No motion was filed in this court. His motion was allowed by the Illinois Supreme Court.

Under the rules in effect at that time and under our present rules, a member of the bar of this court may be disbarred on proof of a commission of a felony. (General Rule 8.) Under the rules now in effect, resignation from the bar of a state is likewise grounds for disbarment. (General Rule 8). However, after the 1954 convictions no disbarment proceedings were commenced against this respondent either in this court or in the courts of Illinois.

After his release from prison in 1956 respondent filed a petition in the Supreme Court of Illinois requesting reinstatement to the active roll of attorneys of the State of Illinois. His petition was granted by that court. On March 19, 1959 respondent presented a petition in camera and without notice to one of the judges of this court other than the judge before whom he was tried in which he represented that he had been so reinstated to the active roll of attorneys of the State of Illinois and requesting an order that the Clerk of this court spread such facts of record in order that there be no question of his right to practice before this court. Said order was so entered in chambers.

In 1963 respondent was again indicted and charged with the subornation of perjury of a witness in a trial before this court and with obstructing and impeding the due administration of justice by endeavoring to induce witnesses in a trial before this court to testify falsely. On June 23, 1964, after a trial by jury, respondent was convicted on all four counts of that indictment. Upon said convictions and pursuant to the rules of this court, (General Rule 8) the Executive Committee thereafter entered an order suspending respondent from the practice of law before this court. (Order, June 23, 1964). Respondent's convictions on the charges of subornation of perjury and of obstructing justice were subsequently reversed and remanded for a separate trial by The Court of Appeals. (United States v. Echeles, 7 Cir., 352 F. 2d 892). On the basis of the Court of Appeals' decision respondent filed a motion before this court requesting that the Executive Committee's order of suspension be vacated. That motion the Executive Committee denied without prejudice to a new motion being filed upon the conclusion of the still pending criminal case. (Order May 17, 1966). That order was appealed and reversed by the Court of Appeals.

In its reversal of the suspension the Court of Appeals, 374 F.2d 780, reviewed the history of respondent's convictions and held that the 1954 conviction, "no longer affords a foundation for a summary suspension under (District Court) Rule 8 even though it fulfils the rule if taken literally."

"* * * it
...

To continue reading

Request your trial
1 cases
  • In re Echeles, 17415.
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Seventh Circuit
    • 5 Junio 1970
    ...it found that the respondent's pattern of conduct obviously fell far short of compliance with his admission oath. In re Echeles, 291 F. Supp. 307 (N.D.Ill.1968).3 Two supplemental issues are presented by the respondent's motion to dismiss the appeal, on the grounds that the United States At......

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT