From 1984 to 1988, Dohrn was employed by the prestigious Chicago law firm Sidley Austin [29] where she was hired by Howard Trienens, the head of the firm at that time, who knew Thomas G. Ayers, Dohrn's father-in-law. "We often hire friends," Trienens told a reporter for the Chicago Tribune.[30] However, Dohrn had not been admitted to the New York or Illinois bar even though she had passed both bar exams, because she had not submitted an application to the New York Supreme Court's Committee on Character and Fitness.[29] Similarly, she was turned down by the Illinois ethics committee because of her criminal record.
Being turned down by the Illinois Ethics Committee is pretty funny. They have a remarkable tolerance for crooked lawyers.