OLR Annual Report
Fiscal Year 2000-2001
Regulating the Legal Profession
The new lawyer regulation system became effective on Oct. 1, 2000.
This first report from the Office of Lawyer Regulation looks at the
disposition of grievances against lawyers from July 1, 2000 to June 30,
2001, and presents an overview of the OLR's structure and
responsibilities.
Figure 1
Lawyer Regulation System Organization
Figure 2
Survey of Grievances Received During Fiscal 2001
Allegations |
Total |
% of Total |
Conflict of interest |
93 |
4.8 |
Criminal conduct |
18 |
0.9 |
Failure to return property |
77 |
4.0 |
Frivolous action |
13 |
0.7 |
IFOR (Inquiries falling outside the rules) |
250 |
12.8 |
Improper
advertising |
7 |
0.4 |
Improper
advocacy |
84 |
4.3 |
Improper communications |
42 |
2.1 |
Improper termination |
36 |
1.8 |
Incompetence |
92 |
4.7 |
Lack of communications |
272 |
14.0 |
Lack of diligence |
411 |
21.1 |
Medical incapacity |
3 |
0.1 |
Misrepresentation/dishonesty |
163 |
8.3 |
Reciprocal discipline |
1 |
0.1 |
Revealing confidences |
17 |
0.9 |
Scope of representation |
71 |
3.6 |
Statutory violation |
5 |
0.3 |
Supervise subordinates |
9 |
0.5 |
Trust account violations |
94 |
4.8 |
Unauthorized practice |
22 |
1.1 |
Unreasonable fees |
51 |
2.6 |
Violation of decision |
2 |
0.1 |
Violation of oath |
25 |
1.3 |
Not available |
19 |
1.0 |
Other |
74 |
3.7 |
|
Total |
1,951 |
100.0 |
Area of Practice |
Total |
% of Total |
Administrative/government law |
33 |
1.6 |
Bankruptcy/receivership |
72 |
3.6 |
Collections, garnishments |
38 |
1.9 |
Contracts, commercial, consumer law |
24 |
1.2 |
Corporate/banking |
18 |
0.9 |
Criminal law |
558 |
28.6 |
Environmental
law |
2 |
0.1 |
Estate/probate, guardianship & wills |
141 |
7.2 |
Family law & juvenile |
464 |
23.7 |
Immigration & naturalization |
14 |
0.7 |
Insurance |
7 |
0.4 |
Labor/unemployment compensation |
30 |
1.5 |
Landlord/tenant |
20 |
1.0 |
Litigation |
164 |
8.4 |
Patent/trademark |
2 |
0.1 |
Real property law & foreclosure |
79 |
4.1 |
Taxation |
6 |
0.3 |
Torts, inc. PI, auto accidents & civil rights |
127 |
6.5 |
Worker's Comp./Social Security |
32 |
2.0 |
Not available |
24 |
1.2 |
Other |
96 |
5.0 |
|
Total |
1,951 |
100.0 |
Source of Grievance |
Total |
% of Total |
Client |
1132 |
58.0 |
Adverse party |
177 |
9.1 |
Other person |
467 |
24.0 |
Attorney |
64 |
3.2 |
Board |
3 |
0.2 |
Staff |
104 |
5.3 |
Judge |
4 |
0.2 |
|
Total |
1,951 |
100.0 |
Figure 3
Attorneys Disciplined Compared to Total Membership
|
Attorneys Publicly
Disciplined |
State Bar Membership |
% of Lawyers Publicly
Disciplined |
2000-01
|
37 |
20,551 |
0.2 |
1999-00
|
24 |
20,167 |
0.1 |
1998-99
|
34 |
19,984 |
0.2 |
1997-98
|
37 |
19,581 |
0.2 |
1996-97
|
28 |
19,301 |
0.1 |
1995-96
|
33 |
18,938 |
0.2 |
1994-95
|
47 |
18,558 |
0.3 |
1993-94
|
55 |
17,974 |
0.3 |
1992-93
|
69 |
17,648 |
0.4 |
1991-92
|
50 |
17,407 |
0.3 |
1990-91
|
45 |
16,334 |
0.3 |
1989-90
|
33 |
15,876 |
0.2 |
1988-89
|
38 |
15.451 |
0.2 |
1987-88
|
39 |
14,942 |
0.3 |
1986-87
|
32 |
14,533 |
0.2 |
1985-86
|
45 |
14,312 |
0.3 |
1984-85
|
38 |
14,096 |
0.3 |
1983-84
|
45 |
13,536 |
0.3 |
1982-83
|
36 |
13,300 |
0.3 |
1981-82
|
28 |
12,700 |
0.2 |
1980-81
|
20 |
12,300 |
0.2 |
1979-80
|
16 |
11,900 |
0.1 |
1978-79
|
11 |
11,600 |
0.1 |
Figure 4
Type of Misconduct Found in Public Discipline Decisions
Fiscal 2000 -2001
Wisconsin Lawyer