Professional Responsibility — revocation

Listen to this article

Wisconsin Supreme Court

Civil

Professional Responsibility — revocation

Where attorney Michael G. Trewin took advantage of his clients’ financial conditions in doing business with them, revocation is appropriate discipline.

“We conclude that the revocation of Attorney Trewin’s license to practice law in this state is appropriate and required. Attorney Trewin was already put on notice of the perils of engaging in transactions with clients in the Trewin disciplinary proceeding. He nonetheless continued to engage in such transactions without meeting the very strict requirements that protect clients from overreaching by more sophisticated attorneys. Moreover, he used the knowledge he had gained from handling the clients’ legal matters to structure those transactions in a manner that ensured he would benefit and the clients would not. Those transactions ultimately resulted in Attorney Trewin acquiring the clients’ property and enriching himself at their expense. It is clear that the public needs to be protected from this type of conduct and that, as the referee commented, Attorney Trewin is unfit to engage in the practice of law in this state.”

2012AP1949-D OLR v. Trewin

Per Curiam.

Attorneys: For Appellant: Trewin, Michael G., New London; For Respondent: Spoke, Julie Marie, Madison