By: WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL STAFF//March 1, 2012//
Wisconsin Supreme Court
Civil
Professional Responsibility — suspension
Where attorney Donald Hahnfeld failed to return money to a client and continued to practice law after being suspended, a one-year suspension is appropriate.
“There is no showing that any of the referee’s findings of fact are clearly erroneous. Accordingly, we adopt them. We also agree with the referee’s conclusions of law that the OLR met its burden of proof with respect to all of the counts of misconduct alleged in its complaint. We further agree that a one-year suspension of Attorney Hahnfeld’s license to practice law is an appropriate level of discipline for his misconduct. Although the referee recommended that Attorney Hahnfeld reimburse the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection and pay the full costs of the proceeding as conditions of his subsequent potential reinstatement, we deem it appropriate to order restitution and payment of costs regardless of whether Attorney Hahnfeld ever seeks reinstatement.”
Per Curiam.
Attorneys: For Complainant: Krohn, Robert G., Edgerton; Weigel, William J., Madison; For Respondent: Hahnfeld, Donald A., West Allis