Vol. 70, No. 12, December 1997

Survey of Grievances
Received During Fiscal 1996-97

Allegations     Total % of Total

Conflict of interest    76   5.1

Criminal conduct     11   0.7

Failure to return property   32   2.2

Frivolous action     18   1.2

IFOR        291   19.8

Improper advertising    9   0.6

Improper advocacy     89   6.0

Improper communications   28   1.9

Improper termination    31   2.1

Incompetence      49   3.3

Lack of communication    163   11.0

Lack of diligence     314   21.2

Medical incapacity     2   0.1

Misrepresentation     93   6.4

Not available      30   2.0

Other        24   1.6

Reciprocal discipline    4   0.3

Revealing confidences    22   1.6

Scope of representation   50   3.4

Statutory violation     8   0.5

Supervise subordinates    8   0.5

Trust account violations   50   3.4

Unauthorized practice    11   0.7

Unreasonable fees     51   3.4

Violation of decision    2   0.1

Violation of oath     13   0.9



Totals       1,479   100.0



Area of Practice   Total % of Total



Admin./government     34   2.3

Bankruptcy      36   0.4

Collections      43   2.9

Contracts/consumer    17   1.1

Corporate/banking     11   1.7

Criminal law      477   32.2

Environment      2   0.1

Estate/probate     10   16.8

Family Law      297   20.1

Immigration      3   0.2

Insurance       3   0.2

Labor/unemployment comp.   22   1.5

Landlord/tenant     20   1.4

Litigation      94   6.4

NA        22   1.5

Other        57   3.8

Patent/trademark     1   0.1

Real property      74   5.6

Taxation       6   0.4

Torts/civil rights    137   9.3

Worker's Comp./Social Security 22   1.6



Totals       1,479   100.0



Source of grievance  Total % of Total



Adverse party     240   16.2

Attorney       91   6.2

BAPR        21   1.4

Client       843   57.0

Judge       22   1.5

Other party      262   17.7

Totals      1,479   100.0

Wisconsin Lawyer