Professional Responsibility — suspension

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Wisconsin Supreme Court

Civil

Professional Responsibility — suspension

Where attorney Ronald J. Moore gave money to a client facing criminal charges, to buy marijuana for him, a three year suspension is appropriate.

“Turning to the issue of the proper level of discipline, we conclude that a three-year suspension is the appropriate sanction for Attorney Moore’s misconduct. Attorney Moore’s ethical violations are serious breaches of his obligations as an attorney. Not only did he conspire with another to violate the criminal law of this state, he directed his own client, a young man already facing multiple criminal charges, to break the law again to serve Attorney Moore’s own personal cravings. Instead of helping his client to gain a respect for the laws of this state, Attorney Moore demonstrated to his young client his own disdain for the rule of law. Moreover, when confronted by his client’s parents, Attorney Moore lied to them, first by essentially claiming that his client was a liar and then by trying to spin a story of an alleged ‘good faith buy’ to cover his own criminal acts. In the other matter, Attorney Moore showed a troubling lack of diligence to address a clear problem that he had caused. His failure to take relatively simple steps to cure the jurisdictional defect his premature filing had caused cost his clients their opportunity to seek a legal role in the upbringing of their granddaughter. A lengthy suspension, with the accompanying requirement that Attorney Moore must prove his character and fitness to resume the practice of law, is an appropriate result of this professional misconduct.”

2013AP329-D OLR v. Moore

Per Curiam.

Attorneys: For Complainant: Weigel, William J., Madison; Bedker, William F., Watertown; For Respondent: Dietrich, Dean R., Wausau; Moore, Ronald J., Marathon