Attorney Disciplinary Hearing

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WI Supreme Court

Case Name: Office of Lawyer Regulation v. Sonja Davig Huesmann

Case No.: 2018 WI 114

Focus: Attorney Disciplinary Hearing

The Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) has appealed a report filed by Referee Allan E. Beatty, accepting a stipulation filed by the OLR and Attorney Sonja C. Davig Huesmann in which Attorney Davig Huesmann admitted the eight counts of professional misconduct alleged in the OLR’s complaint. Referee Beatty recommended that Attorney Davig Huesmann be publicly reprimanded for her misconduct. The OLR argues that a public reprimand would unduly depreciate the seriousness of Attorney Davig Huesmann’s misconduct and that a suspension of her license to practice law in Wisconsin is appropriate.

Upon careful review of this matter, we uphold the referee’s findings of fact and conclusions of law, which were based on the parties’ stipulation. We agree with the OLR that a public reprimand is not a sufficient sanction for the misconduct at issue. Rather, we conclude that a 60-day suspension of Attorney Davig Huesmann’s license to practice law in Wisconsin is appropriate. In addition, we follow our usual custom of imposing the full costs of this proceeding, which are $10,360.04 as of May 21, 2018, on Attorney Davig Huesmann. The OLR does not seek restitution, and we do not impose a restitution order.

Affirmed

Concur:

Dissent:

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Derek A Hawkins is trademark corporate counsel for Harley-Davidson. Hawkins oversees the prosecution and maintenance of the Harley-Davidson’s international trademark portfolio in emerging markets.