Summary
The Wisconsin Supreme Court reviewed disciplinary proceedings against attorney William R. Lamb, who had stipulated to 75 counts of professional misconduct arising from ten client representations. The court rejected Lamb’s request to withdraw from the stipulation, affirmed the misconduct findings, revoked his Wisconsin law license, ordered restitution totaling $21,580, and assessed the full costs of the proceeding.
Holdings
- Lamb did not establish a legal basis to withdraw his stipulation or obtain a remand to litigate alleged factual inaccuracies. His earlier alcoholism did not render his later stipulation unknowing or involuntary, and he failed to identify specific inaccuracies or provide supporting evidence.
- The referee's factual findings, based on Lamb's stipulation and no-contest plea, adequately supported the legal conclusions that Lamb committed the ethical violations alleged in the 75 counts.
- Revocation of Lamb's Wisconsin law license was appropriate and necessary.
- Lamb was required to pay specified restitution to the Wisconsin Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection and individual clients, and to pay the full costs of the disciplinary proceeding.
Questions Presented
- Whether Lamb established a legal basis to withdraw his knowing and voluntary stipulation and obtain a remand for further factual development.
- Whether the referee's factual findings supported the conclusions that Lamb committed the 75 counts of professional misconduct.
- What discipline was appropriate for Lamb's pervasive pattern of misconduct, including forgery and conversion of client settlement funds.
- Whether Lamb should be ordered to pay restitution and the full costs of the disciplinary proceeding.
Disposition
other
Cases Cited (10)
- In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Inglimo, 2007 WI 126, ¶ 5, 305 Wis. 2d 71, 740 N.W.2d 125(followed)
- In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Widule, 2003 WI 34, ¶ 44, 261 Wis. 2d 45, 660 N.W.2d 686(followed)
- In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Lamb, 2011 WI 101, ¶ 2, 338 Wis. 2d 1, 806 N.W.2d 439(followed)
- In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Kelly, 2012 WI 55, 341 Wis. 2d 104, 814 N.W.2d 844(followed)
- In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Fadner, 2007 WI 18, 229 Wis. 2d 54, 727 N.W.2d 20(followed)
- In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Mandelman, 2014 WI 100, ¶ 4, 358 Wis. 2d 179, 851 N.W.2d 401(followed)
- In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Ruppelt, 2014 WI 53, ¶ 1, 354 Wis. 2d 738, 850 N.W.2d 1(followed)
- In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Mulligan, 2009 WI 12, ¶ 9, 315 Wis. 2d 605, 759 N.W.2d 766(followed)
- In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Balistrieri, 2014 WI 104, ¶ 67, 358 Wis. 2d 262, 852 N.W.2d 1(followed)
- In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Harman, 2005 WI 89, ¶¶ 7-12, 282 Wis. 2d 199, 698 N.W.2d 697(followed)
Cited In (0)
No citing cases on record yet.
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