Complaint: Too little, too late for Elgin attorney

Gary Payton wasn't doing his client any favors when he ignored a federal judge's order for the better part of a year, the agency that disciplines Illinois attorneys has charged.

In a complaint filed by the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, the Elgin lawyer is accused of ignoring a judge's demands for a pretrial order for so long, the court eventually ordered his client to pay $9,055 in legal fees - to the other side.

According to the allegations, Payton was given an original deadline of Nov. 5, 2007, to submit a pretrial order outlining jury instructions, damages sought and other particulars to U.S. District Court Judge Martin Ashman in preparation to go to trial on a civil rights lawsuit that Payton's client had filed against Zion police.

Over the next seven months, the complaint says, Payton sought multiple continuances and deadline extensions until, on May 14, 2008, he changed a few figures on an order drafted by the defense in 2007 and submitted it as his own.

Payton's version of the order ended up being sufficient, according to the complaint, but the judge later ordered his client to cover more than $9,000 in legal fees that the defense racked up each time the case had been delayed.

Payton could not be reached for comment on the complaint, which accuses him of "conduct which tends to defeat the administration of justice or to bring the courts or the legal profession into disrepute." The ARDC said a hearing on the issue took place Friday in Chicago, with a decision expected at a later date.

Retirement party: Thirty-nine years after he joined the Batavia police force, Deputy Chief Dennis Thomas is retiring his badge next month.

Well-wishers can say goodbye at party in Thomas' honor on Sunday, May 16, at Lincoln Inn Banquets, 1345 S. Batavia Ave, in Batavia. There will be a meet-and-greet, including a cash bar and hors d'oeuvres, in the Gettysburg Room from 3 to 5 p.m., with a dinner and presentation to immediately follow in the Lincoln Room.

Dinner reservations are $25 a person, with proceeds going to the Batavia police retirement fund. Admission to the meet-and-greet is free.

Reservations can be made through Monday, May 10, at the Batavia Police Department, 100 N. Island Ave.

Pro Bono Award: An Aurora attorney is being honored for her pro bono work on behalf of Spanish-speaking clients.

Elizabeth Berrones-Rotchford of the Gil & Cruz law firm in Aurora, is this year's recipient of the Kane County Bar Association's Pro Bono Award, it was announced April 14.

According to a news release, Berrones-Rotchford took on seven divorce cases this year, free of charge, and has volunteered 350 hours of her time on 19 other cases since 2006.

"She is a strong proponent of legal services for the indigent of Kane County, especially those who cannot speak English, and is always very willing to accept their cases," the association wrote.

Berrones-Rotchford, who is a member of the bar association's Family Law Committee, was nominated by Prairie State Legal Services. She lives in Oswego with her husband Matt and their two children.