Professional Responsibility — public reprimand

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Wisconsin Supreme Court

Civil

Professional Responsibility — public reprimand

Where attorney Timothy J. Riordan made false statements about a judge, with reckless disregard for the truth, a public reprimand is appropriate.

“We turn to the appropriate sanction for Attorney Riordan’s misconduct. We agree that a public reprimand is appropriate and supported by prior precedent. Referee Harris Taylor considered the relevant factors and found the most significant aggravating factor to be that Attorney Riordan’s comments were at least partly in retaliation for Judge Dwyer’s adverse decision in response to efforts by Attorney Riordan and his wife to obtain a significant financial advantage over a vulnerable person’s estate. However, in mitigation, the referee noted that Attorney Riordan has no prior discipline, and ‘there is no doubt that the Riordans loved [A.C.] and considered him a member of their family.’”

2011AP984-D OLR v. Riordan

Per Curiam.

Attorneys: For Appellant: Riordan, Timothy J., Milwaukee; For Respondent (OLR): MacArthur, Anne, Madison