A St. Louis Catholic church is accusing a local attorney and his law firm of unethical behavior.
Polish Roman Catholic St. Stanislaus Corp. filed a lawsuit against Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale P.C. Oct. 15 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
In the complaint, St. Stanislaus accuses the law firm of encouraging the church's former attorney, Roger Krasnicki, to use his knowledge of St. Stanislaus against the church in a separate lawsuit.
As the former legal counsel, Krasnicki was privy to confidential information about St. Stanislaus, the lawsuit states. The church says Greensfelder knew of the alleged unethical nature of using Krasnicki against St. Stanislaus and tried to hide the relationship in a "Confidential Joint Litigation Agreement."
The church also alleges Krasnicki did, indeed, share privileged and confidential information with Greensfelder. St. Stanislaus claims, through continued breaches of loyalty and confidentiality, Greensfelder and Krasnicki violated their duty to comply with the rules of professional conduct.
St. Stanislaus is suing the Greensfelder firm for breach of fiduciary duties and ethical obligations. They are asking for $75,000 in damages along with court costs.
Attorney Thomas Q. Keefe Jr. of Belleville is representing the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in this matter.
St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 10-L-545
St. Stanislaus files suit against Greensfelder and attorney
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