Professional Responsibility — public reprimand

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Wisconsin Supreme Court

Civil

Professional Responsibility — public reprimand

Where attorney Joseph L. Sommers has already been suspended for conduct intertwined with the current disciplinary action, a public reprimand is appropriate.

“Attorney Sommers has previously been disciplined in a matter that included a violation of the Attorney’s Oath. As an experienced lawyer, Attorney Sommers should know that contemporaneously copying opposing counsel on correspondence relating to the matters at issue is not a mere courtesy but an ethical requirement. Without excusing the misconduct, which is serious, we are mindful that this proceeding stems from and is intertwined with the underlying disciplinary proceedings and prosecution of A.R., which elicited extraordinary and, we hope, unusual animosity between opposing counsel. On careful consideration, we deem a public reprimand sufficient to address Attorney Sommers’ misconduct in this matter.”

2012AP1965-D OLR v. Sommers

Per Curiam

Attorneys: For Complainant: Weigel, William J., Madison; MacArthur, Anne, Lake Mills; For Respondent: Sommers, Joseph L., Oregon