Ex-Law Firm Sues Hinsdale D86 Over Debt

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale High School District 86's former law firm has sued it over failing to pay for $228,000 in legal services.

On June 25, Chicago-based Robbins Schwartz filed the lawsuit in DuPage County Court. The firm said the district has yet to pay bills from August 2024 to January 2025.

Last September, Robbins Schwartz terminated its relationship with the district, saying the district was "unreasonably difficult" to serve. The firm said it would wrap up matters it was working on.

On Tuesday, the district provided the lawsuit documents in response to Patch's public records request.

Last October, the board voted against paying Robbins Schwartz's bills, with the firm later saying it found out about the action from a Patch story. At the meeting, board members blasted the firm's bills as too high.

In its lawsuit, the law firm said the district's failure to pay is without justification. It said the district requested the services listed in the firm's invoices.

"The fundamental principles of justice, equity and good conscience require that Defendant pay for services and materials received and that it requested, but that it has failed to provide payment for," the lawsuit said.

The law firm is represented by Lisle attorney Oran Cart.

Robbins Schwartz and the district's spokesman could not be immediately reached for comment Wednesday.

In May 2023, a new school board majority brought in Robbins Schwartz to help it oust then-Superintendent Tammy Prentiss. Advised by Robbins Schwartz, the board decided to suspend Prentiss during a closed-door meeting. Under state law, such an action was required to be taken publicly, the attorney general said in response to a Patch complaint.

In January 2024, the board hired Robbins Schwartz as its main attorney, ending ties with the Prentiss-era law firm. In doing so, the board cast aside its months-long plan to seek proposals from prospective firms.

By summer 2024, Robbins Schwartz's bills had escalated to the point where the firm was on track to make $1 million in a year. With one exception, board members defended or were publicly silent about the unusually high costs until the termination.

The district has not commented on its feud with Robbins Schwartz. Months ago, it denied Patch's records request for a December letter from Robbins Schwartz about the unpaid bills.

Patch complained to the attorney general's office. In response, the agency last month issued a rare binding opinion, ordering the district to release the letter. The district complied.

In the letter, the firm warned it would take the district to collections.