Case Title: Office of Lawyer Regulation v. Arik J. Guenther

Citation: 2012 WI 10

Docket Number: 2011AP001073-D

State: wisconsin

Court: Wisconsin Supreme Court

Date: 2012-02-10T00:00:00Z

Document:
2012 WI 10 
 
SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN 
 
 
 
 
 
CASE NO.: 
2011AP1073-D 
COMPLETE TITLE: 
 
 
In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings 
Against Arik J. Guenther, Attorney at Law: 
 
Office of Lawyer Regulation, 
          Complainant, 
     v. 
Arik J. Guenther, 
          Respondent. 
 
 
 
 
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST GUENTHER 
 
 
OPINION FILED: 
February 10, 2012   
SUBMITTED ON BRIEFS: 
        
ORAL ARGUMENT: 
        
 
 
SOURCE OF APPEAL: 
 
 
COURT: 
        
 
COUNTY: 
        
 
JUDGE: 
        
 
 
 
JUSTICES: 
 
 
CONCURRED: 
        
 
DISSENTED: 
   
 
NOT PARTICIPATING:         
 
 
 
ATTORNEYS: 
 
      
 
 
 
 
2012 WI 10
NOTICE 
This opinion is subject to further 
editing and modification.  The final 
version will appear in the bound 
volume of the official reports.   
No.   2011AP1073-D 
 
 
STATE OF WISCONSIN  
 
 
   : 
IN SUPREME COURT 
 
 
In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings 
Against Arik J. Guenther, Attorney at Law: 
 
Office of Lawyer Regulation, 
 
          Complainant, 
 
     v. 
 
Arik J. Guenther, 
 
          Respondent. 
 
FILED 
 
FEB 10, 2012 
 
A. John Voelker 
Acting Clerk of Supreme 
Court 
 
 
 
 
 
ATTORNEY disciplinary proceeding.   Attorney's license 
suspended.   
 
¶1 
PER CURIAM.   We review the report of the referee, 
Jonathan V. Goodman, recommending that the Office of Lawyer 
Regulation (OLR) be granted a default judgment, that Attorney 
Arik J. Guenther's license to practice law in Wisconsin be 
suspended for 90 days, that this court impose certain conditions 
on Attorney Guenther's reinstatement, and that Attorney Guenther 
be ordered to pay the costs of this disciplinary proceeding. 
No. 
2011AP1073-D   
 
2 
 
¶2 
Because no appeal has been filed, we review the 
referee's report pursuant to SCR 22.17(2).1  After conducting our 
independent review of the matter, we accept and adopt the 
referee's findings of fact, which were based on the allegations 
of the complaint filed by the OLR, due to Attorney Guenther's 
default.  We agree the OLR is entitled to a default judgment, 
and we determine that Attorney Guenther's misconduct requires 
that his license to practice law in this state be suspended.  We 
further order Attorney Guenther to comply with the conditions 
recommended in the referee's report and adopted by this court.  
Finally, we impose the full costs of this proceeding on Attorney 
Guenther.  Those costs total $1,116.04 as of November 3, 2011. 
¶3 
Attorney Guenther was admitted to practice law in 
Wisconsin on September 14, 1981.  He has a lengthy disciplinary 
history 
including 
three 
private 
reprimands, 
one 
public 
reprimand, and two disciplinary suspensions.  His license is 
currently suspended.  
¶4 
In May of 1989, Attorney Guenther consented to the 
imposition of a private reprimand of the Board of Attorneys 
Professional Responsibility (BAPR), the predecessor to the 
                                                 
1 SCR 22.17(2) provides: 
If no appeal is filed timely, the supreme court 
shall review the referee's report; adopt, reject or 
modify the referee's findings and conclusions or 
remand the matter to the referee for additional 
findings; 
and 
determine 
and 
impose 
appropriate 
discipline.  The court, on its own motion, may order 
the parties to file briefs in the matter. 
No. 
2011AP1073-D   
 
3 
 
Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR), for professional misconduct 
consisting of failing to obtain information necessary to 
complete a client's divorce; failing to respond to a client's 
letter and the client's numerous phone calls inquiring about the 
status of his divorce; and failing to cooperate with BAPR's 
investigations into the matter.  Private Reprimand No. 1989-13.  
¶5 
In June of 2001, OLR imposed a private reprimand upon 
Attorney Guenther pursuant to SCR 22.09 for professional 
misconduct 
consisting 
of 
failing 
to 
provide 
competent 
representation to a divorce client; failing to consult with his 
client as to the objectives of the representation and the means 
by which they are to be pursued; failing to act with reasonable 
diligence and promptness by failing to file a post-trial brief; 
failing to keep his client reasonably informed about the status 
of the case; and failing to make reasonable efforts to ensure 
that a non-lawyer secretary over whom Attorney Guenther had 
direct supervisory authority, conducted herself compatibly with 
Attorney Guenther's professional obligations.  Private Reprimand 
No. 2001-4.  
¶6 
In February of 2002, another private reprimand was 
imposed upon Attorney Guenther pursuant to SCR 22.09 for 
professional misconduct consisting of failing to act with 
reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client by 
failing to enter an appearance on behalf of a client in a 
foreclosure action for more than seven months after he was 
retained, and by failing to appear on his client's behalf at a 
scheduling 
conference 
on 
the 
matter; 
and 
for 
improperly 
No. 
2011AP1073-D   
 
4 
 
representing a client when the representation of that client was 
directly adverse to another client; and by representing a vendor 
in a land contract case in which the vendor was adverse to 
another client, while also representing that other client in a 
divorce matter and in a criminal case, without obtaining written 
conflict waivers from either client.  Private Reprimand No. 
2002-5.  
¶7 
In July of 2005, this court suspended Attorney 
Guenther's license for eight months, effective August 30, 2005, 
for professional misconduct consisting of failing to keep a 
client reasonably 
informed; engaging in conduct involving 
dishonesty, deceit or misrepresentation; failing to provide an 
accurate accounting to OLR; failing to maintain complete trust 
account records; failing to submit complete records for OLR's 
inspection; falsely certifying that he was maintaining required 
trust account records; failing to hold client funds in trust; 
failing to cooperate with OLR's investigation; dishonest or 
fraudulent conduct; and failing to appropriately supervise a 
non-lawyer's conduct.  In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against 
Guenther, 2005 WI 133, 285 Wis. 2d 587, 700 N.W.2d 260.   
¶8 
In April of 2007, Attorney Guenther received a public 
reprimand for professional misconduct including failing to 
refund an unearned fee upon termination of the representation; 
failing to notify clients about his suspension and failing to 
list the clients on a post-suspension affidavit that he filed 
with OLR; failing to respond to the clients' inquiries or timely 
provide requested file documents, thereby failing to take steps 
No. 
2011AP1073-D   
 
5 
 
reasonably practicable to protect the clients' interests upon 
termination of the representation; and failing to provide timely 
written responses to grievances despite multiple requests from 
OLR.  Public Reprimand of Arik J. Guenther, 2007-3.  
¶9 
On March 24, 2009, this court suspended Attorney 
Guenther's law license for nine months, effective March 24, 
2009, for professional misconduct including failing to act with 
reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client; 
failing to inform a client that he would no longer be working on 
her matter; failing to return the client's file to her in a 
timely 
manner, 
thereby 
failing 
to 
take 
steps 
reasonably 
practicable to protect the clients' interests upon termination 
of the representation; and failing to cooperate with the OLR's 
investigative committee.  In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against 
Guenther, 2009 WI 25, 316 Wis. 2d 34, 762 N.W.2d 371.  
¶10 The 
professional 
misconduct 
alleged 
in 
the 
disciplinary matter currently before the court stems from events 
that occurred between February 2007 and June 2010, commencing 
with an incident of domestic violence. 
¶11 On February 24, 2007, Attorney Guenther had an 
altercation in his home with his then-wife, R.G.  On May 4, 
2007, the state filed a criminal complaint captioned State v. 
Guenther, Fond du Lac County Case No. 2007CM367, charging 
Attorney Guenther with disorderly conduct with a domestic abuse 
modifier in connection with the altercation.  On March 7, 2008, 
Attorney Guenther and the prosecutor entered into a post-plea 
diversion agreement, subject to acceptance by the court.  
No. 
2011AP1073-D   
 
6 
 
Attorney Guenther then entered a plea of no contest to the 
charges.  The court permitted Attorney Guenther to post bond.  
The conditions of his bond included that Attorney Guenther 
maintain absolute sobriety and have no violent contact with R.G.  
As will be discussed, Attorney Guenther failed to comply with 
both conditions.  
¶12 On February 20, 2009, Attorney Guenther forced open a 
door to break into R.G.'s residence.  Attorney Guenther then 
took R.G.'s laptop computer and left a note in R.G.'s home 
stating, "It's nice to see all the things that you and your 
little friend can afford while you pay no bills.  That['s] all 
over for you.  All you had to do was be my wife but you couldn't 
and you will now have [] to pay." 
¶13 Fond 
du 
Lac County sheriff's deputies contacted 
Attorney Guenther by telephone, and Attorney Guenther admitted 
he had been in R.G.'s home, left the note, and took the laptop 
computer.   
¶14 Accordingly, on March 2, 2009, the prosecutor moved to 
vacate the post-plea diversion agreement relating to the 2007 
incident, because Attorney Guenther had engaged in new criminal 
acts and (as will be discussed) had also failed to maintain 
absolute sobriety.   
¶15 Also on March 2, 2009, a new criminal complaint was 
filed against Attorney Guenther based on his actions on 
February 20, 2009.  State v. Guenther, Fond du Lac County Case 
No. 2009CF53.  At the initial appearance Attorney Guenther was 
No. 
2011AP1073-D   
 
7 
 
released on cash bond.  A condition of this bond was that 
Attorney Guenther maintain absolute sobriety.  
¶16 On March 9, 2009, Attorney Guenther drank alcohol.  
Deputy Hammett of the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department 
asked Attorney Guenther to submit to a preliminary breath test.  
The result of the breath test was .128 grams of alcohol in 100 
milliliters of Attorney Guenther's blood.  Attorney Guenther 
admitted to Deputy Hammett that he had been drinking.  
¶17 Accordingly, on March 24, 2009, the state charged 
Attorney Guenther with felony bail jumping.  State v. Guenther, 
Winnebago County Case No. 2009CF144.  
¶18 On March 26, 2009, the court revoked the diversion 
agreement and ordered that a judgment of conviction be entered 
in connection with the 2007 altercation.  
¶19 On April 16, 2009, the court filed the judgment of 
conviction against Attorney Guenther relating to the 2007 
altercation, convicting him of violating Wis. Stat. § 947.01 
(disorderly conduct), a misdemeanor, with a domestic abuse 
modifier.  The conviction date was recorded as April 13, 2009. 
Attorney Guenther failed to report this conviction to the Clerk 
of the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the OLR within five days.  
¶20 Meanwhile, the OLR had received a copy of the criminal 
complaint in the case pertaining to the February 2009 home 
intrusion (State v. Guenther, Fond Du Lac Case No. 2009CF53).  
On April 24, 2009, OLR requested Attorney Guenther provide a 
written response in the matter.  Attorney Guenther did not 
respond.  OLR also requested Attorney Guenther provide a written 
No. 
2011AP1073-D   
 
8 
 
response to a grievance related to his actions on March 9, 2009.  
Again, Attorney Guenther did not respond.  
¶21 On September 14, 2009, Attorney Guenther pled no 
contest and was convicted of the Class H felony of bail jumping 
in violation of Wis. Stat. § 946.49(1)(b) in connection with 
having consumed alcohol in violation of his conditions of bond.  
State v. Guenther, Winnebago County Case No. 2009CF144. 
¶22 Again, Attorney Guenther did not timely notify the 
clerk of this court or the OLR of this conviction.  
¶23 On 
October 
19, 
2009, 
while 
Attorney 
Guenther's 
driver's license was suspended, Officer Gerke of the Jackson 
Police Department stopped Attorney Guenther for driving 35 mph 
in a 25 mph zone.  Ultimately, Officer Gerke transported 
Attorney Guenther to a hospital where his blood was drawn.  The 
State Laboratory of Hygiene tested the sample and found an 
alcohol 
concentration 
of 
.213 
grams 
of 
alcohol 
in 
100 
milliliters of Attorney Guenther's blood.  Officer Gerke issued 
citations to Attorney Guenther for speeding, operating after 
suspension, and operating while intoxicated, second offense.  
¶24 On October 20, 2009, the Washington County district 
attorney 
charged 
Attorney 
Guenther 
with 
misdemeanor 
bail 
jumping, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of 
an intoxicant (second offense), and operating a motor vehicle 
with a prohibited alcohol concentration (second offense).  State 
v. Guenther, Washington County Case No. 2009CF351.  
¶25 On March 30, 2010, Attorney Guenther pled no contest 
to, and was convicted of, misdemeanor bail jumping in connection 
No. 
2011AP1073-D   
 
9 
 
with the home intrusion (Fond du Lac County Case No. 2009CF53).  
Attorney Guenther did not timely inform the Clerk of the 
Wisconsin Supreme Court or the OLR of this conviction. 
¶26 On June 9, 2010, Attorney Guenther pled guilty to 
operating 
a 
motor 
vehicle 
with 
a 
prohibited 
alcohol 
concentration (PAC) of .08 or more in the Washington County case 
(State v. Guenther, Washington County Case No. 2009CF351).  The 
bail jumping and operating while intoxicated counts were 
dismissed but read in.  Attorney Guenther did not inform the OLR 
or the clerk of this court of the conviction within five days.  
¶27 At a hearing on December 16, 2010, Attorney Guenther 
withdrew his plea in Washington County Case No. 2009CF351, and 
the court vacated the conviction.  The charges previously 
dismissed, but read in, were reinstated.  
¶28 These events gave rise to the 11-count disciplinary 
complaint filed by the OLR on May 13, 2011. 
¶29 Count One of the OLR's complaint provided that by 
engaging in disorderly conduct in a domestic dispute with his 
wife on February 24, 2007, resulting in his criminal conviction 
for 
disorderly 
conduct, 
Attorney 
Guenther 
violated 
SCR 
20:8.4(b).2  
¶30 Count Two provided that by failing to notify OLR and 
the Clerk of the Wisconsin Supreme Court within five days of his 
                                                 
2 SCR 20.8.4(b) states it is professional misconduct for a 
lawyer to "commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the 
lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in 
other respects." 
No. 
2011AP1073-D   
 
10 
 
April 13, 2009, conviction for disorderly conduct in State v. 
Guenther, Fond du Lac County Case No. 2007CM367, Attorney 
Guenther violated SCR 21.15(5),3 enforceable via SCR 20:8.4(f).4   
¶31 Count Three of the complaint alleged that by breaching 
the condition of bond prohibiting any violent contact with R.G. 
by breaking down a door to enter her residence on February 20, 
2009, removing property, and leaving her a threatening note, 
resulting in his criminal conviction for bail jumping, Attorney 
Guenther violated SCR 20:8.4(b).  
¶32 Count Four alleged that by failing to notify OLR and 
the clerk of this court within five days of his March 30, 2010, 
conviction for misdemeanor bail jumping in State v. Guenther, 
Fond du Lac County Case No. 2009CF53, Attorney Guenther violated 
SCR 21.15(5), which is misconduct under SCR 20:8.4(f).  
                                                 
3 SCR 21.15(5) states: 
An attorney found guilty or convicted of any 
crime on or after July 1, 2002, shall notify in 
writing the office of lawyer regulation and the clerk 
of the Supreme Court within 5 days after the finding 
or conviction, whichever first occurs. The notice 
shall include the identity of the attorney, the date 
of finding or conviction, the offenses, and the 
jurisdiction. An attorney's failure to notify the 
office of lawyer regulation and clerk of the supreme 
court of being found guilty or his or her conviction 
is misconduct. 
4 SCR 20:8.4(f) says it is professional misconduct for a 
lawyer to "violate a statute, supreme court rule, supreme court 
order or supreme court decision regulating the conduct of 
lawyers; . . . ." 
No. 
2011AP1073-D   
 
11 
 
¶33 Count Five of the complaint alleged that by failing to 
fully and fairly disclose all facts and circumstances pertaining 
to the alleged misconduct underlying the criminal charges then 
pending against him in State v. Guenther, Fond du Lac County 
Case No. 2009CF53, within 20 days after being served by ordinary 
mail with OLR's April 24, 2009, investigative request for a 
written response, Attorney Guenther violated SCRs 22.03(2) and 
22.03(6),5 enforceable under SCR 20:8.4(h).6  
                                                 
5 SCRs 22.03(2) and 22.03(6) state as follows: 
(2) Upon 
commencing 
an 
investigation, 
the 
director shall notify the respondent of the matter 
being investigated unless in the opinion of the 
director the investigation of the matter requires 
otherwise.  The respondent shall fully and fairly 
disclose all facts and circumstances pertaining to the 
alleged misconduct within 20 days after being served 
by ordinary mail a request for a written response.  
The director may allow additional time to respond.  
Following receipt of the response, the director may 
conduct further investigation and may compel the 
respondent to answer questions, furnish documents, and 
present 
any 
information 
deemed 
relevant 
to 
the 
investigation. 
. . .  
(6) In the course of the investigation, the 
respondent's 
wilful 
failure 
to 
provide 
relevant 
information, to answer questions fully, or to furnish 
documents and the respondent's misrepresentation in a 
disclosure are misconduct, regardless of the merits of 
the matters asserted in the grievance. 
6 SCR 20:8.4(h) states it is professional misconduct for a 
lawyer to "fail to cooperate in the investigation of a grievance 
filed with the office of lawyer regulation as required by 
SCR 21.15(4), SCR 22.001(9)(b), SCR 22.03(2), SCR 22.03(6), or 
SCR 22.04(1); . . . . 
No. 
2011AP1073-D   
 
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¶34 Count Six alleged that by breaching the condition of 
his bond by failing to maintain absolute sobriety on March 9, 
2009, resulting in his criminal conviction for felony bail 
jumping, Attorney Guenther violated SCR 20:8.4(b).  
¶35 Count Seven alleged that by failing to notify OLR and 
the clerk of this court within five days after he was found 
guilty and convicted of felony bail jumping on September 14, 
2009, in State v. Guenther, Winnebago County Case No. 2009CF144, 
Attorney Guenther violated SCR 21.15(5), enforceable under 
SCR 20:8.4(f).  
¶36 Count Eight alleged that by failing to respond to 
OLR's April 24, 2009, letter requesting that he fully and fairly 
disclose all facts and circumstances pertaining to the alleged 
misconduct underlying the criminal charges then pending against 
him 
in 
Winnebago 
County, 
Attorney 
Guenther 
violated 
SCRs 22.03(2) and 22.03(6), enforceable via SCR 20:8.4(h).  
¶37 Count Nine alleged that by operating a motor vehicle 
with a blood alcohol concentration of .213 on October 19, 2009, 
thereby committing the elements of the crimes of operating a 
motor vehicle while intoxicated (second offense) and with a 
prohibited alcohol concentration (second offense), Attorney 
Guenther violated SCR 20:8.4(b). 
¶38 Count Ten of the complaint alleged that by violating 
the court-ordered absolute sobriety condition of his bond in 
State v. Guenther, Fond du Lac County Case No. 2009CF53, by 
No. 
2011AP1073-D   
 
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consuming alcohol on or around October 19, 2009, Attorney 
Guenther violated SCR 20:3.4(c).7   
¶39 Count Eleven alleged that by failing to notify OLR and 
the Clerk of the Wisconsin Supreme Court within five days of his 
June 9, 2010, conviction in State v. Guenther, Washington County 
Case No. 2009CF351, for operating with a prohibited alcohol 
concentration (notwithstanding the subsequent vacating of the 
conviction and reinstatement of all charges on December 16, 
2010), Attorney Guenther violated SCR 21.15(5), enforceable via 
20:8.4(f).  
¶40 The OLR recommended a 90-day suspension of Attorney 
Guenther's license to practice law and further recommended that 
this 
court 
order 
Attorney 
Guenther 
to 
undergo 
alcohol 
assessment, treatment, and monitoring with a provider approved 
by OLR; to cooperate with all recommended treatment; to provide 
full medical releases to OLR covering all alcohol-related 
treatment and care; to demonstrate his compliance as a condition 
of restatement; and to maintain absolute sobriety and to be 
subject to random monitoring at the request of OLR and at his 
expense until such condition might be removed by order of this 
court.  
¶41 Attorney Guenther failed to file an answer to the 
complaint.  The referee set an August 11, 2011 scheduling 
                                                 
7 SCR 20:3.4(c) states a lawyer shall not "knowingly disobey 
an obligation under the rules of a tribunal, except for an open 
refusal 
based 
on 
an 
assertion 
that 
no 
valid 
obligation 
exists; . . . ." 
No. 
2011AP1073-D   
 
14 
 
conference at which Attorney Guenther did appear.  Following the 
conference the referee issued a scheduling order directing, 
inter alia, Attorney Guenther to file and serve an answer by 
August 18, 2011.  No answer was filed.  
¶42 On August 29, 2011, the OLR moved for a default 
judgment.  Shortly after the referee scheduled a hearing on the 
motion, it was discovered that Attorney Guenther had been 
incarcerated since August 22, 2011.  Accordingly, the hearing on 
the motion for default judgment was postponed and arrangements 
were made to permit Attorney Guenther to participate from jail.   
¶43 At 
the 
hearing 
the 
referee 
considered 
Attorney 
Guenther's explanations for not filing an answer by August 18, 
2011.  The referee stated in his ensuing order that Attorney 
Guenther's incarceration did not excuse his failure to file an 
answer.  
¶44 On October 13, 2011, the referee filed a report and 
recommendation in which he recommended granting the OLR's motion 
for default judgment.  The referee found the facts as alleged in 
the complaint and concluded that Attorney Guenther had committed 
each of the acts of misconduct alleged therein.  The referee 
recommended Attorney Guenther's license to practice law in 
Wisconsin be suspended for "not less than ninety (90) days," 
that he be ordered to undergo alcohol assessment, treatment, and 
monitoring, and that, as a condition for reinstatement of his 
license, Attorney Guenther pay all the costs and expenses of the 
proceeding.  
No. 
2011AP1073-D   
 
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¶45 No appeal was filed, so we consider this matter 
pursuant to SCR 22.17(2).  We accept the referee's findings of 
fact predicated on the complaint and adopt the recommendation 
regarding discipline.   
¶46 We agree that some conditions on Attorney Guenther's 
license to practice law are necessary to ensure that Attorney 
Guenther obtains the treatment he needs to cope with his 
alcohol-related problems and to protect the public from any 
future misconduct that might result from Attorney Guenther's 
consumption of alcohol.  We conclude that Attorney Guenther 
should undergo a thorough alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) 
evaluation by a provider approved by OLR, and that he should 
comply with the treatment recommendations contained in the 
evaluation.  We also believe it is appropriate to require him to 
submit 
to 
monitoring 
by 
the 
OLR, 
including 
random 
alcohol/substance abuse screenings until such condition might be 
removed by order of this court.  These conditions are based on 
the OLR's suggested conditions.  Attorney Guenther will need to 
demonstrate 
his 
compliance 
with 
these 
requirements 
as 
a 
condition of any future reinstatement.  Finally, we order 
Attorney Guenther to pay the costs of this proceeding, which 
were $1,116.04 as of November 3, 2011.   
¶47 IT IS ORDERED that the license of Arik J. Guenther to 
practice law in Wisconsin is suspended for a period of 90 days, 
effective the date of this order. 
¶48 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Arik J. Guenther shall, if 
he has not already done so, comply with the provisions of 
No. 
2011AP1073-D   
 
16 
 
SCR 22.26 concerning the duties of a person whose license to 
practice law in Wisconsin has been suspended.   
¶49 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within 30 days after the 
date of this order, Arik J. Guenther shall sign reciprocal 
releases of confidentiality (complying with the federal Health 
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and all other 
applicable federal and state laws) for each treatment provider 
who is providing or has provided alcohol-related or substance 
abuse-related treatment or services to Arik J. Guenther within 
the last ten years, so that such treatment providers may share 
pertinent information related to Arik J. Guenther's substance 
abuse history and related issues.  In addition to authorizing 
other treatment providers to obtain access to such treatment 
information, the releases signed by Arik J. Guenther shall also 
authorize disclosure of all records concerning alcohol-related 
or substance abuse-related treatment or services to the Office 
of Lawyer Regulation.  The Office of Lawyer Regulation shall 
maintain as confidential all information or documents received 
pursuant to these releases.  The releases required by this 
paragraph shall remain in effect for two years from the date of 
this order. 
¶50 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within 60 days after the 
date of this order, Arik J. Guenther shall, at his own expense, 
submit to an alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) evaluation by a 
professional AODA counselor or treatment provider approved by 
the Office of Lawyer Regulation, which written evaluation shall 
assess Arik J. Guenther's substance abuse history and current 
No. 
2011AP1073-D   
 
17 
 
status and make specific recommendations for Arik J. Guenther's 
continuing treatment or maintenance.  A copy of the written AODA 
evaluation shall be submitted to the Office of Lawyer Regulation 
and shall be maintained by it as confidential. 
¶51 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Arik J. Guenther shall, to 
the best of his ability, comply with all written recommendations 
set forth in the AODA evaluation, with the OLR to monitor 
Arik J. Guenther's compliance. 
¶52 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that following the date of this 
order and until further order of this court, Arik J. Guenther 
shall, at his own expense, submit to random alcohol and 
substance abuse screening, directed and monitored by the Office 
of Lawyer Regulation. 
¶53 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within 60 days of the date 
of this order, Arik J. Guenther shall pay to the Office of 
Lawyer Regulation the costs of this proceeding.  If the costs 
are not paid within the time specified and Arik J. Guenther has 
not entered into a payment plan approved by the Office of Lawyer 
Regulation, then the Office of Lawyer Regulation is authorized 
to move this court for a further suspension of the license of 
Arik J. Guenther to practice law in Wisconsin. 
 
No. 
2011AP1073-D   
 
 
 
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