OLR dismisses some charges against former Stoughton lawyer

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Investigators have agreed to dismiss some charges against a Dane County lawyer in exchange for a no-contest plea.

The Office of Lawyer Regulation charged James Hammis in September 2014 with 48 counts of misconduct stemming from his work with 10 clients in various cases, including criminal appeals and divorces. The misconduct alleged included charges that Hammis had overdrawn his trust account and transferred thousands of dollars from it to his personal account, ignored his clients and repeatedly failed to file cases.

The OLR had asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to revoke Hammis’ license and order him to pay $400 in restitution to one of his clients. The complaint was later amended to add another count of misconduct.

Last year, Hammis initially agreed to admit to certain facts and plead no contest, according to court records. The OLR also agreed to drop some charges. Hammis and the OLR reached another stipulation Jan. 6 in which they agreed on certain facts and that Hammis should pay the $400 worth of restitution. The OLR agreed to dismiss nine charges, bringing the final count to 41 counts of misconduct.

A decision from the court-appointed referee in the matter is expected by Feb. 6.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2015 suspended Hammis’ license for 90 days for alleged misconduct that, in part, resulted in two felony convictions after he pleaded guilty on the behalf of an Ohio company he had been president of.

Hammis has said he no longer practices law and instead works in the construction trades. Follow @erikastrebel