A Madison County attorney is suing his malpractice insurer for conspiracy to avoid covering him.
Thomas W. Burkart filed the claim in Madison County Circuit Court on Nov. 14, naming the Illinois State Bar Association Mutual Insurance Company, Johnson & Bell, P.C. and Peter R. Ryndak as defendants.
According to the suit, Burkart was being sued for malpractice when a conflict of interest arose between him and the insurance company. The insurance company agreed to pay for the higher rates of Burkart’s independent counsel, but Ryndak, a Johnson & Bell attorney, allegedly circumvented Burkart’s counsel on behalf of the insurance company to trigger a clause that would allow the company to no longer pay for fees associated with Burkart’s case.
Burkart is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus court fees. He is representing himself in this case.
Madison County Circuit Court case number: 14L1564.