Suspended Minn. attorney gets same discipline in Wis.

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A Minneapolis attorney suspended in Minnesota for bringing a claim in bad faith and making harassing and bullying statements toward opposing counsel has received the same discipline in Wisconsin.

Peter Nickitas will not be able to practice law for 30 days, effective April 18, according to a Wisconsin Supreme Court opinion released Friday.

Nickitas was suspended by Minnesota’s Supreme Court in May for filing a claim he did not have permission to file. He had represented the client, a taxi driver, in arbitration, but when that process ended, the client did not give consent to file a claim, according to a complaint filed in August.

Throughout the arbitration process, Nickitas repeatedly made disparaging comments about his opposing counsel. In addition, he yelled at her on at least one occasion and said he hoped she “sleeps with the fishes,” according to the complaint.

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Nickitas stipulated to the facts of the case in Wisconsin and Minnesota. However, the Wisconsin justices denied a request to have his suspension be retroactive and concurrent with the suspension he served in Minnesota last year.

Reached by phone Wednesday morning, Nickitas said he had not yet read the opinion.

Nickitas was admitted to practice law in Wisconsin in 1991. He has been disciplined several times in the past 16 years. Most recently, he was suspended for 90 days in 2009 for multiple violations, including having sex with a client. Follow @eheisigWLJ