2008AP1637-D OLR v. Katerinos

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Professional Responsibility
Public reprimand

Where attorney Douglas Katerinos filed a frivolous lawsuit and made baseless accusations against a judge and opposing counsel, a public reprimand is appropriate.

"The referee concluded, and we agree, that Attorney Katerinos violated SCR 20:8.2(a) with respect to statements included in the brief he filed with the court of appeals on July 19, 2004. In this brief Attorney Katerinos said '[t]he Defendants misused the trial court and the relationship between Judge Flanagan and Mr. Stein to victimize [R.O. and M.O.] and their counsel . . . .' At the evidentiary hearing, Attorney Stein denied he had any type of 'relationship' with Judge Flanagan other than that of an attorney who appeared in the judge's courtroom on legal matters. The referee found that Attorney Katerinos could not substantiate this statement and, as such, the referee concluded that Attorney Katerinos' assertion that there was a "relationship" involving Judge Flanagan and a defense attorney was false and related to the integrity of the judge. More specifically, the referee stated: 'The statement by Mr. Katerinos that Judge Flanagan and Mr. Stein had a relationship that was detrimental to [his clients'] case had no basis in fact. The statement was careless and was a disservice to Judge Flanagan and Attorney Stein. He just made the statement without presenting any factual basis. Brash statements with no foundation have no place in the Court System. Mr. Katerinos violated SCR 20:8.2(a).'"

2008AP1637-D OLR v. Katerinos

Per Curiam.

Attorneys: For Complainant: Krohn, Robert G., Edgerton; Weigel, William J., Madison; For Respondent: Katerinos, D., Milwaukee

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