Professional Responsibility — revocation

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Wisconsin Supreme Court

Civil

Professional Responsibility — revocation

Where attorney David G. Stokes, among other violations, was found guilty of overbilling the SPD and committing perjury, revocation is appropriate.

“Attorney Stokes’ professional misconduct warrants the severest level of discipline that we impose, namely, the revocation of his license to practice law in Wisconsin. We concur with the referee, who noted:       This referee is troubled by Stokes’ willingness to lie, forge signatures, and fraudulently bill the SPD in furtherance of his own personal goals. He lied to a sitting court in the midst of a John Doe investigation. He lied to the SPD in order to line his pockets with extra, unearned[] cash. He forged client signatures on documents he later filed with the Western District of Wisconsin Bankruptcy Court. Equally disturbing are the allegations that his filings were filled with mistakes, and that the court personnel could not decipher the filings, or process his client’s cases appropriately. . . . To consider anything less than a revocation of his license to practice law would unduly depreciate the seriousness of his misconduct and fail to deter others from engaging in similar conduct.”

2011AP2537-D OLR v. Stokes

Per Curiam.

Attorneys: For Complainant: Weigel, William J., Madison; Price, Matthew J., Milwaukee; For Respondent: Schulenburg, Eric, Madison