Skokie man charged with impersonating attorney

A felon who authorities say spent at least five years representing clients at the Skokie and Bridgeview courthouses and at Chicago's Daley Center “did everything right, except obtain a law degree,” Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said.

A Cook County judge set bond at $250,000 Friday for Tahir Malik, 47, of Skokie, charged with falsely impersonating a lawyer.

Sheriff's police arrested Malik last month following a hearing at the Skokie courthouse after a clerk recognized him and alerted a deputy. Evidence recovered from his briefcase tied Malik to more than 60 other cases, including traffic, criminal and foreclosure cases, which may have led to incarceration or to some people losing their homes, said Dart.

“I think this will grow,” said Dart, referencing Malik's presence at multiple courthouses. “There's going to be nothing neat about this. This is going to be messy and will probably cost money.”

The case against Malik could be complicated and wide-ranging, Dart said, adding if Malik represented criminal defendants, they could claim he did not provide the adequate representation the Constitution demands. To that end, sheriff's police set up a hotline, (773) 869-6466, for people who Malik may have duped.

Authorities say Malik served prison time for a burglary conviction, and suggested his past aided the deception.

“From his own arrest history, he was familiar enough with the court system to make certain motions and file certain documents with the court,” Dart said in a prepared statement.

Authorities say Malik charged clients from $500 to $4,500 for representing them on traffic violations, entering pleas on their behalf and representing them at sentencing hearings where they received community service.

Malik is scheduled to appear in court in Skokie on Jan. 11 and in a Chicago court on Jan. 28.

For information on suspended or disbarred attorneys, check iardc.org or call (800) 826-8625.