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    Wisconsin Lawyer
    April 01, 2002

    Lawyer Discipline

    Wisconsin Lawyer
    Vol. 75, No. 4, April 2002

    Lawyer Discipline


    The Office of Lawyer Regulation (formerly known as the Board of Attorneys Professional Responsibility), an agency of the Wisconsin Supreme Court and component of the lawyer regulation system, assists the court in carrying out its constitutional responsibility to supervise the practice of law and protect the public from misconduct by persons practicing law in Wisconsin. The Office of Lawyer Regulation has offices located at Suite 315, 110 E. Main St., Madison, WI 53703, and Suite 300, 342 N. Water St., Milwaukee, WI 53202. Toll-free telephone: (877) 315-6941.


    Disciplinary Proceedings against Thomas J. Baehr

    On Feb. 26, 2002, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ordered a six-month suspension of the law license of Thomas J. Baehr, 49, Stevens Point, effective April 2, 2002. The court further ordered Baehr to pay the costs of the disciplinary proceeding and to make restitution in the amount of $500 to a client.

    The discipline imposed stemmed from misconduct in three separate client matters. In the first matter, a couple hired Baehr in the spring of 1999 for bankruptcy representation. In May 2000 Baehr failed to respond to multiple telephone messages from the clients, who specifically requested Baehr's assistance in reaffirmation of a mortgage. Baehr likewise failed to respond to a June 2000 certified letter from the couple, for which Baehr personally signed. The couple hired successor counsel, incurring additional legal expenses they would not have been charged had Baehr seen their matter through to completion. By failing to respond to the couple's telephonic and written inquiries, Baehr violated SCR 20:1.4(a).

    In the second matter, Baehr represented the defendant in a small claims action in which the client's ex-wife alleged that her wages were being garnished to satisfy a judgment for which Baehr's client was responsible under the terms of the parties' divorce. Subsequent to the termination of his representation in the matter, Baehr failed to forward to the client notice of a March 21, 2000, trial and a notice of entry of default judgment against the client, which had been sent to Baehr. The client learned of the entry of a judgment against him when his own wages were garnished. Baehr's conduct violated SCR 20:1.16(d), which requires an attorney, upon termination of representation, to take steps to the extent reasonably practicable to protect a client's interests.

    In the third matter, Baehr agreed on Dec. 10, 1999, to represent a man charged with second offense operating a motor vehicle after revocation or suspension. The client had failed to appear at his Dec. 7, 1999, initial appearance, causing the court to issue a bench warrant for the client's arrest. The client mailed a $500 check to Baehr as a retainer, and Baehr cashed the check. Baehr was to contact the district attorney's office and to make a court appearance for the client. Baehr agreed to notify the client by mail as to the outcome of his efforts. Baehr, however, took no steps to advance the client's interests, and the client was arrested and jailed in July 2000 on the outstanding bench warrant. The case against the client ultimately was resolved without Baehr's involvement, pursuant to a plea agreement. By failing to take any action in the matter, Baehr violated SCR 20:1.3, which requires reasonably diligent and prompt representation. Baehr violated SCR 20:1.16(d) by failing to return the unearned retainer. Under the court's order of discipline, Baehr is to make restitution in the amount of $500 to the former client.

    In each of the three matters, Baehr failed to respond to written inquiries from the Office of Lawyer Regulation. Baehr also failed to respond to an OLR notice to appear. By failing to cooperate with OLR's grievance investigations, Baehr violated SCR 21.15(4), 22.001(9)(b), and 22.03(6).

    Baehr previously was disciplined by the supreme court, receiving a 90-day license suspension in 2000. In addition, Baehr's license was suspended temporarily on Feb. 22, 2001, after he failed to respond to a supreme court order to show cause for his noncooperation in the matters leading to the present disciplinary action.

    Disciplinary Proceedings against Mark R. Prichard

    On Feb. 26, 2002, the Wisconsin Supreme Court revoked the law license of Mark R. Prichard, effective the date of the order. The court entered the order upon consideration of the Petition for Consensual License Revocation filed pursuant to SCR 22.19 by Prichard, in which he acknowledged that he could not successfully defend against 77 counts of misconduct in 20 separate client matters as alleged against him in a disciplinary complaint prepared by the OLR.

    Prichard's law license had been suspended temporarily by the Wisconsin Supreme Court since June 26, 2000.


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