Suspended attorney sued by former client

A legal malpractice complaint has been filed against Alton attorney Carol Cagle, who is currently serving a two-year suspension from practicing law.

Scott Poole claims Cagle, who represented him as a defendant in a 2003 Madison County civil suit, deviated from the standard of care of a reasonably careful attorney.

"That said lawsuit resulted in a default judgment against Scott Poole in the amount of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000)," states Poole's complaint filed Jan. 12 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Poole is represented Thomas O. Falb of Williamson, Webster, Falb & Glisson of Alton.

Among other things, Poole claims Cagle failed to notify his insurance carrier "on a timely basis." He claims Cagle indemnified him in the 2003 suit.

Poole's suit also claims Cagle "failed to represent Plaintiff Scott Poole in a manner so as to avoid the above-stated default judgment against Plaintiff."

Cagle's Illinois Supreme Court suspension took effect April 9, 2007, according to records from the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC).

She was ordered to "reimburse the Client Protection Program Trust Fund for any client protection payments arising from her conduct prior to the termination of the period of suspension."

An ARDC Hearing Board report and recommendation filed in November 2006, states that Cagle, among other things, failed to "act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client."