Nov. 18, 2009 – According to its fiscal year 2009 annual report, the Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) saw an increase in its caseload with a corresponding increase in the number of pending matters at year end (746) compared to the end of last year (651), while the overall average processing time remained steady (118 days this year compared to 115 last year).
![Keith Sellen]()
“Challenges lay ahead to address the increase in caseload and matters over a year old, while holding the assessment at the same level,” says Keith Sellen, OLR director. And, he says, “During the coming year, substantial work is expected on a proposal for permanent revocation and a lawyer support and monitoring program.”
Other highlights for the period July 1, 2008 – June 20, 2009, include:
• Central Intake received 2,228 inquiries and grievances (162 more than last year):
9% resolved minor disputes or withdrawn grievances
7% diverted to alternative programs
16% forwarded for formal investigation
68% closed, insufficient information to allege ethical misconduct
• 40 attorneys received a public disciplinary sanction, including one revocation, 14 suspensions, three public reprimands issued by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, 21 consent public reprimands issued by supreme court referees, and one medical suspension, representing 0.2% of the 23,425 State Bar members
• Most common allegations made in grievances: lack of diligence (30.48%), improper advocacy (13.21%), and misrepresentation/dishonesty (9.19%). Last year, lack of communication with client was the second most frequent allegation (12.14%).
• Practice areas producing the most grievances: criminal law (29.65%), family/juvenile law (22.03%)
• 104 overdrafts on client trust accounts and fiduciary accounts reported, an increase of 50.7% from last year
• 114 attorneys were diverted to alternative discipline programs and 104 attorneys completed diversions
The report provides an overview of the lawyer regulation system’s organization and composition, explains how matters are resolved, and compares current and past years’ data on the disposition of grievance matters.
The assessment for fiscal year 2010 remains at $148 (for full active licensed lawyers).
• Related: 2008-09 OLR Annual Report
• Related: WisLAP monitoring program gets nod from Wisconsin Supreme Court
