July 7, 2021 – On June 21, 2021, Joseph R. Laumann filed a petition for reinstatement of his Wisconsin law license. The Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) will investigate Laumann’s eligibility for reinstatement of his license and assigned OLR Matter No. 2021MA702 to its investigation.

Laumann’s Wisconsin law license was suspended for six months on Jan. 18, 2019, as discipline reciprocal to that imposed by the Court of Appeals of Maryland. The suspension was based on Laumann’s misconduct in four client matters and included failing to hold client funds in trust; failing to maintain trust account records; making misrepresentations to courts and fabricating documents; failing to appear for hearings; improperly disclosing confidential information; and attempting to collect legal fees he had already collected. In mitigation, at the time of his misconduct Laumann was suffering from complications resulting from an automobile accident.

Laumann 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 Laumann and his petition to the OLR, Attn: Sarah E. Peterson, P.O. Box 1648, Madison, WI 53701-1648. Alternatively, written comments may be submitted via email to sarah.peterson@wicourts.gov. Comments must be submitted by Aug. 20, 2021. 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 Laumann’s petition, the OLR will file a response with the Wisconsin Supreme Court. If the OLR does not oppose reinstatement, the OLR will enter into a stipulation for reinstatement with Laumann for direct consideration by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. If the OLR opposes reinstatement, a referee will be appointed and a reinstatement hearing scheduled.

Notice of any hearing on Laumann’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 Laumann’s petition and any hearing can be obtained from the OLR and is available at 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.