Attorney agreeing to discipline in Wisconsin over misconduct in Maryland

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A Maryland attorney is agreeing to undergo disciplinary measures in Wisconsin for misconduct he committed in his home state.

In May, the Maryland Supreme Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court, indefinitely suspended Joseph Laumann’s license for breaking 16 of its attorney-ethics rules while representing four clients.

The Office of Lawyer Regulation filed a complaint in August charging Laumann with two counts of misconduct, alleging that Laumann had failed to report that he had been disciplined in Maryland and that Laumann is therefore subject to reciprocal discipline in Wisconsin.

The OLR had asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to suspend Laumann’s license for six months as discipline reciprocal to what Maryland’s high court had imposed. The agency is also asking the court to order Laumann to show cause as to why reciprocal discipline would not be warranted.

Laumann and the OLR are asking the high court to not appoint a referee to the case and to instead approve a stipulation that was filed with the court on Nov. 21. Laumann is neither contesting the OLR’s allegations nor challenging the OLR’s request for a six-month suspension, according to the stipulation.

The justices will review the stipulation and issue a final decision in the matter.