Professional Responsibility — public reprimand

Listen to this article

Wisconsin Supreme Court

Civil

Professional Responsibility — public reprimand

Where attorney Mark A. Phillips charged and failed to return unearned legal fees, a public reprimand is appropriate.

“We adopt the findings of fact and conclusions of law set forth in the referee’s report. In addition, we accept the referee’s recommended sanctions. By charging and failing to return $1,050 in unearned legal fees, Attorney Phillips engaged in serious misconduct warranting a public reprimand. We also deem it appropriate to require Attorney Phillips to make restitution to the Fund in the amount of $1,050. We also conclude that requiring Attorney Phillips to participate in CLE relating to the ethical obligations of attorneys would help protect the public and correct Attorney Phillips’ behavior. Finally, because this case presents no extraordinary circumstances, we further determine that Attorney Phillips should be required to pay the full costs of this matter. See SCR 22.24(1m) (supreme court’s general policy upon a finding of misconduct is to impose all costs upon the respondent attorney).”

2011AP2962-D OLR v. Phillips

Per Curiam.