Justices revoke real estate attorney’s license

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The Wisconsin Supreme Court has revoked the license of a Milwaukee real-estate attorney who misappropriated nearly $160,000 in client money.

Perry Friesler, who was admitted to the State Bar in 1968, mishandled the money while acting as a personal representative and attorney for client estates in Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties, according to the court’s opinion released Thursday. The Milwaukee case involved $72,500 in client money, while the Ozaukee County case involved $105,250.

Friesler, who is suspended from practicing law for falling behind on his State Bar dues and failing to keep up with his trust account certifications, petitioned to have his license revoked because “he cannot successfully defend himself against the allegations of professional misconduct.”

The court, in addition to revoking Friesler’s license, ordered him to pay restitution for both cases. However, he and the Office of Lawyer Regulation will need to stipulate how much he will have to pay in the Ozaukee County case, as Friesler claims $17,860 should be offset as payment for services.

Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, in a one-sentence concurring opinion, wrote that the court has not been notified whether there are any criminal cases pending as a result of Friesler’s actions. A representative with the Ozaukee County District Attorney’s Office said it had no pending matters, and a message left with the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office was not immediately returned.

Court records show, however, that someone involved in the Milwaukee County case filed suit against Friesler in November.

Friesler, when contacted Thursday, refused to comment and referred questions to his attorney, Jeremy Levinson of Halling & Cayo SC. Levinson did not immediately return a phone call. Follow @eheisigWLJ