Oconomowoc attorney’s license revoked on 76 counts of misconduct

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The state Supreme Court on Tuesday revoked the license of an Oconomowoc attorney.

The justices’ decision stems from a 54-page Office of Lawyer Regulation complaint from September accusing Erika Cannaday of taking cases, then ignoring clients. The OLR alleged 76 counts of misconduct in 16 client matters beginning in 2011 and continuing through 2013.

Cannaday did not contest any of the allegations. She could not be immediately reached for comment Tuesday. Cannaday has said that she stopped practicing in 2012 because of depression. She also has said she does not plan on practicing in the near future because she has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Her license has been administratively suspended since June 3 for failing to fulfill mandatory continuing legal education requirements. Cannaday’s license also was suspended Nov. 20, 2013, for not responding to the OLR’s attempts to reach her regarding her former clients’ complaints.

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The justices on Tuesday ordered Cannaday to pay $4,412 in restitution, including amounts to various clients and the Wisconsin Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection. According to court documents, that amount does not include court proceedings because she entered into a comprehensive stipulation, meaning no referee was appointed and there was no full disciplinary proceeding.

Cannaday, a solo practicioner, has been licensed to practice law in Wisconsin since 2005. She graduated from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minn. Follow @erikastrebel