Attorney Disciplinary Hearing

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WI Supreme Court

Case Name: Office of Lawyer Regulation v. Courtney Kathleen Kelbel

Case No.: 2019 WI 93

Focus: Attorney Disciplinary Hearing

We review Referee James W. Mohr, Jr.’s, recommendation that the court declare Attorney Courtney Kathleen Kelbel in default and suspend her license to practice law in Wisconsin for a period of six months for professional misconduct in connection with her representation of five clients. The referee also recommended that Attorney Kelbel make restitution to the Wisconsin Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection (the Fund) and that she pay the full costs of this proceeding, which are $1,037.25 as of July 24, 2019.ince no appeal has been filed, we review the referee’s report pursuant to Supreme Court Rule (SCR) 22.17(2). After review of the matter, we agree with the referee that, based on Attorney Kelbel’s failure to answer the Office of Lawyer Regulation’s (OLR) complaint, the OLR is entitled to a default judgment. We further agree with the referee that a six month suspension of Attorney Kelbel’s license is an appropriate sanction for her professional misconduct. Finally, we agree that Attorney Kelbel should be required to make restitution to the Fund and that she should be assessed the full costs of this proceeding.

License Suspended

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.