Petition to Reinstate Michael D. Petersen

On June 25, 2024, Michael D. Petersen filed a petition to reinstate his Wisconsin law license. The Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) will investigate the eligibility of Petersen for reinstatement of his license andhas assigned OLR Matter No. 2024MA902 to its investigation.

On Dec. 15, 2017, the Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended Petersen’s law license for one year, effective Jan. 26, 2018. The suspension was based on Petersen’s misconduct relating to his representation of a client in a criminal matter. Petersen misled the client to believe he would be pleading guilty to a lesser felony. Following the client’s conviction, Petersen falsely told the client the charge would be amended and engaged in numerous dishonest acts to conceal his lie, including fabricating a court order purportedly amending the client’s conviction. During the ensuing police investigation into the origin of the document, Petersen admitted he had fabricated it. Petersen was charged with and convicted of misdemeanor contempt of court. Disciplinary Proc. Against Petersen, 2017 WI 102.

Petersen has the burden of demonstrating by clear, satisfactory, and convincing evidence that he has the moral character to practice law in Wisconsin; that his resumption of the practice of law will not be detrimental to the administration of justice or subversive of the public interest; that the representations made in his petition are substantiated; and that he has complied fully with the terms of the order of his suspension and with the requirements of SCR 22.26 regarding an attorney’s activities following suspension or revocation.

Interested parties may submit written comments regarding Michael D. Petersen and his petition to OLR, Attn: Lorry C. Eldien, P.O. Box 1648, Madison, WI 53701-1648. Alternatively, written comments may be submitted via email to lorry.eldien@wicourts.gov. Comments must be submitted by Aug. 26, 2024. All comments will be forwarded to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. If a referee is assigned to conduct a hearing in this matter, all comments will also be forwarded to the referee. Individuals who submit comments may be contacted by the OLR for more information.

Upon completion of the investigation of Michael D. Petersen’s petition, the OLR will file a response with the supreme court. If the OLR does not oppose reinstatement, the OLR will enter into a stipulation for reinstatement with Petersen for direct consideration by the supreme court. If the OLR opposes reinstatement, a referee will be appointed and a reinstatement hearing scheduled.

Notice of any hearing on Michael D. Petersen’s petition will be sent to those requesting such notice. A request for notice of hearing must include the address to which the notice is to be sent, and should be directed to the OLR at either the post office box or email address above.

Information regarding the status of Petersen’s petition and any hearing can be obtained from the OLR and is available at https://www.wicourts.gov/services/public/lawyerreg/statuspetition.htm.

This notice is published pursuant to SCR 22.30(2) and will be the only notice published regarding this matter.