Office of Lawyer Regulation v. Christopher S. Petros

Summary

The Wisconsin Supreme Court reviewed disciplinary proceedings against Christopher S. Petros after he failed to appeal the referee's report. The court struck his answer, found him in default, and revoked his Wisconsin law license based on 16 counts of professional misconduct and his prior disciplinary history. The court also ordered him to pay $5,000 in restitution and $3,910.22 in proceeding costs.

Holdings

1. A respondent-attorney's repeated failure to comply with scheduling and discovery obligations, appear at a status conference, and respond to sanctions proceedings constituted egregious conduct warranting striking the answer and proceeding by default.
2. The court adopted the referee's findings and concluded that Petros committed the 16 counts of professional misconduct alleged in the complaint.
3. Revocation of Petros's Wisconsin law license was the appropriate sanction.
4. Petros was required to pay $5,000 in restitution to A.M., Jr. and the full costs of the proceeding, totaling $3,910.22 as of February 3, 2021, with restitution due before costs.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Petros's repeated noncompliance with the disciplinary proceeding warranted striking his answer and entering default.
2. Whether the referee's findings and conclusions established professional misconduct.
3. What discipline was appropriate for Petros's misconduct and disciplinary history.
4. Whether Petros should be ordered to pay restitution and the full costs of the proceeding.

Disposition

other