Office of Lawyer Regulation v. James E. Hammis

Summary

The Wisconsin Supreme Court reviewed disciplinary proceedings against attorney James E. Hammis and upheld findings that he committed nine counts of professional misconduct. The court suspended Hammis's Wisconsin law license for 90 days, ordered him to pay $995 in restitution and the costs of the proceeding, and required compliance with applicable suspension rules.

Holdings

1. The referee's factual findings were not clearly erroneous and were adopted by the court.
2. The court agreed with the referee's conclusions of law that Hammis violated all of the supreme court rules alleged in the complaint.
3. A 90-day suspension of Hammis's Wisconsin law license was appropriate, rather than the four-month suspension recommended by the referee or a public reprimand sought by Hammis.
4. Hammis was required to pay $995 in restitution to I.B. and the full costs of the disciplinary proceeding.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the referee's findings that Hammis committed all nine charged counts of professional misconduct were clearly erroneous.
2. Whether the referee correctly concluded that Hammis violated the cited Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules of Professional Conduct and disciplinary rules.
3. What sanction was appropriate for Hammis's misconduct, including whether a public reprimand or four-month suspension was warranted.
4. Whether Hammis should be ordered to pay $995 in restitution and the full costs of the disciplinary proceeding.

Disposition

other