Opinion
Case No. 97-3619-D.
Opinion Filed: May 30, 2001.
The Court entered the following order on this date:
On April 3, 2001, the Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) filed its report recommending that the petition of Patrick R. Russell for reinstatement of his license to practice law be granted. The court suspended the license of Attorney Russell for 18 months, commencing April 27, 1998, as discipline for professional misconduct consisting of his misappropriating fees that were due to his law firm, misappropriating funds belonging to the firm, using the law firm's funds to purchase personal items, and misusing the firm's flexible benefits plan by requesting and obtaining tax free reimbursement for child care expenses even though Attorney Russell's wife was not employed and they were not eligible for such benefits. In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Russell, 216 Wis.2d 488, 574 N.W.2d 247 (1998). The OLR further recommended that, as a condition of reinstatement, Attorney Russell's trust account be monitored for a two-year period following reinstatement. Upon Attorney Russell entering into a partnership or joining a law firm in which another attorney or attorneys will have shared responsibility for trust account oversight, this condition may be waived.
By memorandum dated April 20, 2001, the Board of Bar Examiners recommended that the reinstatement petition be granted, subject to Attorney Russell's compliance with current CLE requirements.
IT IS ORDERED that the license of Patrick R. Russell to practice law in Wisconsin is reinstated effective the date of this order.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the conditions set forth in this order are imposed on the license of Patrick R. Russell to practice law in Wisconsin for the period specified herein.
Cornelia G. Clark, Clerk of Supreme Court