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.
