Office of Lawyer Regulation v. Karene S. Marchan, 2018 WI 30, 380 Wis. 2d 598

Summary

The Wisconsin Supreme Court reviewed stipulated findings that attorney Karene S. Marchan committed eight counts of professional misconduct arising from her representation of a divorce client and failure to cooperate with the Office of Lawyer Regulation. The court imposed a six-month suspension of her Wisconsin law license, assessed $6,953.07 in disciplinary costs, lifted her temporary suspension, and ordered compliance with suspension-related duties. No additional restitution was ordered because Marchan had already repaid the client.

Holdings

1. The court adopted the referee's findings of fact and conclusions of law and held that Marchan violated the supreme court rules as alleged in all eight counts.
2. A six-month suspension of Marchan's Wisconsin law license was an appropriate sanction for her misconduct.
3. Marchan was required to pay the full costs of the proceeding, totaling $6,953.07 as of January 19, 2018, and no additional restitution was ordered because she had already made full restitution to S.C.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the referee's findings that Marchan violated the Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules on eight counts should be adopted.
2. What sanction is appropriate for Marchan's misconduct.
3. Whether Marchan should be assessed the full costs of the disciplinary proceeding and whether additional restitution should be ordered.

Disposition

other