Stevens v. Rooks Pitts and Poust

The plaintiff, William M. Stevens, appeals from an order of summary judgment entered in favor of the defendant, Rooks Pitts and Poust (Rooks). A former partner at Rooks, Stevens alleges that certain termination provisions in the Rooks partnership agreement (Agreement) are in contravention of Rule 5.6 of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct (Code) (134 Ill. 2d R. 5.6) and are, therefore, unenforceable. We reverse and remand.

Stevens became a general partner at Rooks on January 1, 1981, and continued in that capacity until he voluntarily withdrew from the firm on May 31, 1992. Stevens was…