Attorney Disciplinary Hearing

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WI Supreme Court

Case Name: Office of Lawyer Regulation v. Ricardo Perez

Case No.: 2019 WI 99

Focus: Attorney Disciplinary Hearing

We review Referee Kim M. Peterson’s report and recommendation that the court declare Attorney Ricardo Perez in default and suspend his license to practice law in Wisconsin for a period of nine months for professional misconduct in connection with his representation of four clients. The referee also recommended that Attorney Perez pay the full costs of this proceeding, which are $1,957.12 as of August 21, 2019.

Since no appeal has been filed, we review the referee’s report pursuant to Supreme Court Rule (SCR) 22.17(2). After reviewing the matter, we agree with the referee that, based on Attorney Perez’s failure to answer the Office of Lawyer Regulation’s (OLR) complaint, the OLR is entitled to a default judgment. We also agree with the referee that a nine-month suspension of Attorney Perez’s law license is an appropriate sanction for his professional misconduct. Finally, we agree that Attorney Perez should be required to pay the full costs of this proceeding.

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.