By: Derek Hawkins//July 11, 2016//
WI Supreme Court
Case Name: Office of Lawyer Regulation v. Peter J. Kovac
Case No.: 2015AP654-D
Focus: Disciplinary Proceedings
Attorney license suspended for multiple violations
We also agree with the referee that a 90-day suspension of Attorney Kovac’s license to practice law in Wisconsin is an appropriate sanction for his misconduct. We share the referee’s concern that, in spite of receiving two prior public reprimands for, among other things, failing to diligently represent and communicate with criminal clients and failing to cooperate with the OLR’s investigation into pending grievances, Attorney Kovac has continued to engage in the same type of behavior that led to the public reprimands. As we have oft noted, Wisconsin follows the concept of progressive discipline. See In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Brandt, 2012 WI 8, ¶21, 338 Wis. 2d 524, 808 N.W.2d 687. We agree with the referee that a 90-day suspension is necessary to protect the public, the courts, and the legal system from repetition of Attorney Kovac’s misconduct; impress upon the attorney the seriousness of his misconduct; and deter other attorneys from committing similar misconduct.
Concurring:
Dissenting: