Milwaukee attorney faces license suspension

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A Milwaukee attorney is being faced with a 60-day license suspension.

The Office of Lawyer Regulation charged Gary Grass on Dec. 27 with 14 counts of misconduct stemming from his representation of four criminal defendants whose cases were in Waukesha and Milwaukee counties.

The OLR alleges Grass violated a rule requiring lawyers to inform clients if their license has been suspended, a rule requiring lawyers to diligently and promptly represent clients and a rule requiring lawyers to respond to the OLR when it asks for a response to clients’ grievances or for additional information when investigating those grievances.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court temporarily suspended Grass’ license in May for failing to respond to three OLR investigations.

The OLR is asking the Wisconsin Supreme Court to suspend Grass’ license for 60 days.

Grass could not be reached Wednesday at the phone number and email address listed by the State Bar of Wisconsin.

Once Grass is served, he will have 20 days to respond to the complaint. Typically, the high court will appoint a referee to preside over a case of this sort and make recommendations concerning whether misconduct was committed and what disciplinary measure should be imposed in response. Regardless of whether the court appoints a referee, the justices will issue a final decision in the matter.

Grass, who earned his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law in 2003, has not previously been publicly disciplined by the high court. His license was suspended in May for failing to report that he had completed required continuing-legal-education courses. Also, Grass has not paid mandatory bar dues since Oct. 31. Follow @erikastrebel