Board rejects MDP, requests further research on UPL and ancillary business practice issues

November 8, 2002

On Nov. 8, the State Bar Board of Governors opposed, 39 to 5, the MDP Commission's recommendation that the Wisconsin Rules of Professional Conduct be amended to permit lawyers to participate in multidisciplinary practice firms. The board directed the Executive Committee to prepare a report to the board in November 2003, regarding rule changes relative to MDP in the other 49 states.

The board approved the commission's recommendation regarding UPL to petition the supreme court to appoint a committee separate from the Wisconsin Study Committee (formerly known as Ethics 2000) to develop proposed rules for the court's consideration and action that define the practice of law and establish a system to administer the program. The commission suggests that this committee consider recommendations from the Multijurisdictional Practice Committee, and that committee membership comprise a representative of the Office of Lawyer Regulation, the Board of Governors, the general public, organizations that provide legal advice or service to low- or moderate-income individuals, the Multijurisdictional Practice Committee, one or more members of the State Bar Consumer Information and Protection Committee, and a justice of the supreme court.

The board opposed, 25 to 17, the commission's recommendation that the Rules of Professional Conduct be clarified, allowing lawyers to own ancillary businesses. The board approved a Professional Ethics Committee resolution to refer the commission's proposed rule on ancillary business to the Executive Committee and the Professional Ethic Committee for review before sending it to the supreme court.

• MDP Commission Final Report