Lawyer’s license suspended for 1 year for 41 counts of misconduct

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The Wisconsin Supreme Court has suspended a lawyer’s license for one year for practicing while his license was suspended and mishandling cases.

Ernesto Chavez’s address and phone number listed on the Wisconsin Court System and State Bar of Wisconsin websites place him in Madison. However, the Office of Lawyer Regulation’s March 13, 2014, complaint indicates that he actually resides in Olympia, Wash.

Chavez was privately reprimanded in 2008 regarding a civil rights case he handled in which he failed to keep clients informed about their case and did not respond to their requests for information. His license had been suspended since June 6, 2011, for failing to complete continuing education requirements. Chavez’s license continues to be suspended for failing to cooperate in OLR investigations of his conduct and failing to pay State Bar dues.

Friday’s discipline stems from Chavez’s behavior regarding eight client matters from April 2010 to September 2011. In many of the cases, he improperly collected fees, failed to perform work for clients, and refused to return files to clients.

Also, despite his license being suspended in June 2011, he continued representing clients, emailing opposing counsel and appearing in court.

Chavez was personally served with the OLR’s complaint and given notice of the hearing on the motion, but he failed to appear or defend himself.

The state Supreme Court, in addition to suspending his license, ordered Chavez to pay $10,000 in restitution, with $3,000 going to a one client and $7,000 going to the Wisconsin Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection on behalf of three clients.

Chavez could not be immediately reached Friday. The phone number listed on the state court system and State Bar websites was disconnected. Also, a message sent to Chavez’s email address on file with the State Bar website was undeliverable.

Chavez earned his law degree from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 1995. He was admitted to practice law in Wisconsin in 2000. Follow @erikastrebel