Professional Responsibility – Public reprimand

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Wisconsin Supreme Court

Civil

Professional Responsibility – Public reprimand

Where attorney Howard B. Mitz made false statements regarding the distribution of settlement proceeds from his trust account, a public reprimand is appropriate discipline.

“There is no showing that any of the referee’s findings of fact are erroneous.  Accordingly, we adopt them.  We also agree with the referee’s conclusions of law that Attorney Mitz violated the supreme court rules set forth above.  While the misconduct at issue is serious, the record reflects that Attorney Mitz has no prior discipline, did not personally benefit from the misconduct, and cooperated with the OLR.  We therefore accept the referee’s recommendation for a public reprimand.  Finally, we agree with the referee that Attorney Mitz should be required to pay the full costs of the proceeding, which are $6,706.79 as of January 2, 2015.  We accept the OLR’s statement that restitution is not warranted in this matter.”

2013AP2300-D OLR v. Mitz

Per Curiam.

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