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  • InsideTrack
  • November 03, 2010

    Office of Lawyer Regulation faces increased caseload amid budget constraints, according to 2010 annual report

    According to its fiscal year 2010 annual report, the Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) held steady the overall average processing time while facing an increased caseload compared to last year and significant budget constraints.

    Nov. 3, 2009 – According to its fiscal year 2010 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 (981) compared to the end of last year (746), while the overall average processing time remained steady (115 days this year compared to 118 last year).

    “Challenges lay ahead to address the increase in caseload and matters over a year old, while holding down expenditures,” says Keith Sellen, OLR director. And, he says, “During the coming year, substantial work is expected evaluating ways to economize the lawyer regulation system.”

    Other highlights for the period July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010, include:

    • Central Intake received 2,307 inquiries and grievances (79 more than last year):

    10% resolved minor disputes or withdrawn grievances

    9% diverted to alternative programs

    18% forwarded for formal investigation

    63% closed, insufficient information to allege ethical misconduct

    46 attorneys received a public disciplinary sanction, including four revocations, two revocations by consent, 18 suspensions, eight public reprimands issued by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and 14 consent public reprimands issued by supreme court referees, representing 0.2% of the 23,827 State Bar members.

    Most common allegations made in grievances: lack of diligence (25.76%), improper advocacy (13.9%), and lack of communication with client (11.05%). Last year, misrepresentation/dishonesty was the third most frequent allegation (9.19%).

    Practice areas producing the most grievances: criminal law (32%), family/juvenile law (20.23%).

    76 overdrafts on client trust accounts and fiduciary accounts reported, a decrease of 26.9% from last year.

    125 attorneys were diverted to alternative discipline programs and 113 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 2011 increases to $155 (for full active licensed lawyers), up from $148 last year. The assessment accounts for the need to replace a total of $293,200 that will lapse to the State General Fund on July 1, 2010, and July 1, 2011.

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