Disciplinary Proceedings

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WI Supreme Court

Case Name: Office of Lawyer Regulation v. Michael D. Petersen

Case No.: 2017 WI 102

Focus: Disciplinary Proceedings

We review a report and recommendation of Referee William Eich approving a stipulation filed by the Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) and Attorney Michael D. Petersen. In the stipulation, Attorney Petersen stipulated to the facts underlying the nine counts of misconduct alleged in the OLR’s complaint and joined the OLR in jointly recommending a one-year suspension of Attorney Petersen’s license to practice law in Wisconsin. The referee agreed that a one-year suspension was an appropriate sanction for Attorney Petersen’s misconduct.

Upon careful review of the matter, we uphold the referee’s findings of fact and conclusions of law and agree that a one-year suspension is an appropriate sanction. As is our normal practice, we also find it appropriate to impose the full costs of this disciplinary proceeding, which are $2,110.29 as of May 24, 2017, on Attorney Petersen. Since Attorney Petersen has already made restitution to his client, the OLR does not seek a restitution order.

Affirmed

Concur:

Dissent: A.W. BRADLEY, J. dissents, joined by ABRAHAMSON, J.

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Attorney Derek A. Hawkins is the managing partner at Hawkins Law Offices LLC, where he heads up the firm’s startup law practice. He specializes in business formation, corporate governance, intellectual property protection, private equity and venture capital funding and mergers & acquisitions. Check out the website at www.hawkins-lawoffices.com or contact them at 262-737-8825.