Reimbursements to victims of lawyer theft bring fiscal year total to
nearly half a million dollars
Claims were approved for clients of:
Ernesto Chavez, Madison (one claim for unearned
advanced fees, $1,500)
Khaja M. Din, Madison (one claim for
unearned advanced fees, $6,000)
William J. Grogan, Appleton (one claim for unearned
advance fee, $500)
Mark R. Kramer, Delafield (one claim
for misappropriation of funds, $290)
William R. Lamb, Menomonie (one claim for unearned
advanced fees, $1,000)
Christopher A. Mutschler,
Fond du Lac (six claims for unearned advanced fees totaling $26,500)
March 21, 2012 – At its final meeting of fiscal year 2012, the Wisconsin
Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection Committee approved $35,790
in reimbursements to 11 victims of lawyer theft. The committee
considered 26 claims, denied 12 claims, and deferred three to its Nov. 9
meeting. The dollar amount sought for the deferred claims totals
$9,875.
“It has been an honor to serve as chair of the committee,”
said Lindsey Draper, who steps down as chair. ”Working with the
committee of volunteers whose interest is in making sure that clients
who have put their trust in members of our profession are made whole
when the trust is violated has been extremely fulfilling. And I
can’t say enough about how much the work of the committee is
facilitated by the efforts of State Bar staff liaison Kris Wenzel.”
The Wisconsin Supreme Court established the fund in 1981 to reimburse
people who lost money through dishonest acts of Wisconsin attorneys.
Reimbursement decisions are made at the discretion of the committee,
which meets three times a year.
In this fiscal year (July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012), the fund
approved $463,421 to 31 victims of 16 lawyers. Since its inception in
1981, the fund has approved $5.1 million involving 710 claims and 160
attorneys.
For more information about the fund,
contact Kris Wenzel or call
(800) 444-9404, ext. 6185, or (608) 250-6185.
