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2006AP2461-D OLR v. Knight

By: dmc-admin//March 3, 2008//

2006AP2461-D OLR v. Knight

By: dmc-admin//March 3, 2008//

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Professional Responsibility
Suspension

Where attorney Phaidra S. Knight allowed an attorney not licensed in Wisconsin to file pleadings under her name and bar number, a 90-day suspension is appropriate.

"While we acknowledge Attorney Knight's inexperience, her expression of remorse, her attempts to rectify some of the harm to clients, and the lack of evidence that she explicitly knew of Eleby's conversion of funds, we cannot agree with a characterization of Attorney Knight as a 'victim.' She knowingly allowed an individual who was not licensed in Wisconsin to use her name and attorney number to represent clients in the courts of this state. Moreover, she allowed Eleby to cash and disburse checks that were made out to her and to her trust account apparently without any effort to ensure that the clients received the funds to which they were entitled. These actions ultimately led to the theft of funds that belonged to clients for whom Attorney Knight was responsible. Further, Attorney Knight's failure to maintain and utilize an appropriate client trust account demonstrates an alarming lack of understanding or a disregard of one of a lawyer's core duties–protecting the interests of clients and their property."

2006AP2461-D OLR v. Knight

Per Curiam.

Attorneys: For Appellant: Weigel, William J., Madison; For Respondent: Knight, Phaidra S., Bronx, NY

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