Case Title: Office of Lawyer Regulation v. Craig A. Knapp

Citation: 

Docket Number: 2019AP001748-D

State: wisconsin

Court: Wisconsin Supreme Court

Date: 2021-02-25T00:00:00Z

Document:
2021 WI 15 
 
SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN 
 
 
 
 
 
CASE NO.: 
2019AP1748-D 
 
 
 
COMPLETE TITLE: 
In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings  
Against Craig A. Knapp, Attorney at Law: 
 
Office of Lawyer Regulation, 
          Complainant, 
     v. 
Craig A. Knapp, 
          Respondent. 
 
 
 
 
 
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST KNAPP 
 
 
OPINION FILED: 
February 25, 2021   
SUBMITTED ON BRIEFS: 
        
ORAL ARGUMENT: 
        
 
 
SOURCE OF APPEAL: 
 
 
COURT: 
        
 
COUNTY: 
        
 
JUDGE: 
        
 
 
 
JUSTICES: 
 
Per Curiam. ZIEGLER, J. concurs, joined by REBECCA GRASSL 
BRADLEY, DALLET, HAGEDORN, and KAROFSKY, JJ. 
NOT PARTICIPATING: 
        
 
 
 
ATTORNEYS: 
 
      
 
 
 
 
2021 WI 15
NOTICE 
This opinion is subject to further 
editing and modification.  The final 
version will appear in the bound 
volume of the official reports.   
No.  2019AP1748-D 
 
 
STATE OF WISCONSIN  
 
 
   : 
IN SUPREME COURT 
 
 
In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings  
Against Craig A. Knapp, Attorney at Law: 
 
Office of Lawyer Regulation, 
 
          Complainant, 
 
     v. 
 
Craig A. Knapp, 
 
          Respondent. 
FILED 
 
FEB 25, 2021 
 
Sheila T. Reiff 
Clerk of Supreme Court 
 
 
 
 
ATTORNEY 
disciplinary 
proceeding.   Attorney's 
license 
revoked.  
 
¶1 
PER CURIAM.   We review the recommendation of Referee 
Robert E. Kinney that the license of Craig A. Knapp to practice 
law in Wisconsin be revoked due to professional misconduct.  The 
referee also recommends that Attorney Knapp be ordered to pay 
restitution and the full costs of this proceeding.  The 
referee's recommendation is based on a stipulation entered into 
between Attorney Knapp and the Office of Lawyer Regulation 
(OLR).  
No. 
2019AP1748-D   
 
2 
 
¶2 
We 
adopt 
the 
referee's 
findings 
of 
fact 
and 
conclusions of law and agree that the seriousness of Attorney 
Knapp's professional misconduct warrants the revocation of his 
law license.  We further agree that he should pay restitution 
and that he should pay the full costs of this proceeding, which 
are $5,786.79 as of September 29, 2020. 
¶3 
Attorney Knapp was admitted to practice law in 
Wisconsin in 1989 and practiced in Wausau.  In 1991 Attorney 
Knapp received a consensual private reprimand for a conflict of 
interest violation.  Private Reprimand No. 1991-31 (electronic 
copy 
available 
at 
https://compendium.wicourts.gov/app/raw/ 
000053.html).  
¶4 
Attorney Knapp's law license is currently suspended 
for failure to pay State Bar of Wisconsin dues and failure to 
comply with continuing legal education requirements. 
¶5 
On September 17, 2019, the OLR filed a complaint 
alleging 
that 
Attorney 
Knapp 
committed 
nine 
counts 
of 
professional misconduct.  Attorney Knapp filed an answer to the 
complaint on November 15, 2019.  On March 16, 2020, the parties 
entered into a partial stipulation.  On July 30, 2020, the 
parties filed a comprehensive stipulation in which Attorney 
Knapp pled no contest to all nine counts of misconduct alleged 
in the OLR's complaint, agreed to the revocation of his law 
license, and agreed to make restitution to his client.  The 
following facts are taken from the stipulation. 
¶6 
In 
January 
2017, 
T.B. 
hired 
Attorney 
Knapp 
to 
represent T.B. and his company, LJB Services, LLC, in a matter 
No. 
2019AP1748-D   
 
3 
 
involving Stone Ridge Meat & Country Market, Inc., and D&K Land 
Development, LTD.  T.B. is the sole member of LJB Services. 
¶7 
On January 4, 2017, Attorney Knapp sent a letter to 
Attorney Thomas Lorenson, counsel for Stone Ridge, in which he 
said he would accept service of any legal process for LJB 
Services as well as the delivery of any dividend checks.  On 
September 11, 2017, acting on behalf of Stone Ridge, Attorney 
Lorenson sent Attorney Knapp a dividend check payable to LJB 
Services and Attorney Knapp in the amount of $28,526.25. 
¶8 
On September 15, 2017, Attorney Knapp deposited the 
check in his client trust account at the River Valley Bank in 
Wausau, Wisconsin.  On September 28, 2017, Attorney Knapp issued 
a trust account check payable to T.B. in the amount of $23,608.  
This should have left a balance of $4,918.25 attributable to LJB 
Services in Attorney Knapp's trust account.  In fact, the 
balance in the trust account after the check was presented was 
$67.03.   
¶9 
On October 4, 2017, Attorney Knapp deposited three 
more 
checks 
payable 
to 
T.B. 
and 
LJB 
Services, 
totaling 
$7,987.35, into the trust account.  The balance in to the trust 
account after making this deposit should have been $12,905.60 
when in fact it was only $7,054.38.   
¶10 In a letter dated November 6, 2017, Attorney Knapp 
provided an account summary to T.B. showing that he was 
currently holding $12,905.60 in his trust account for T.B.  
Attorney Knapp's representation was false because the balance in 
the trust account for T.B. as of November 6, 2017 was $5,921.28. 
No. 
2019AP1748-D   
 
4 
 
¶11 On December 29, 2017, without having made any other 
disbursements on behalf of T.B., the balance in Attorney Knapp's 
trust account was $11.03. 
¶12 On January 26, 2018, Attorney Knapp deposited a check 
payable to T.B. and LJB Services in the amount of $20,538.90 
into his trust account.  After that deposit, there should have 
been $33,444.50 of T.B.'s funds in Attorney Knapp's trust 
account when in fact only $20,549.93 of T.B.'s funds were in the 
trust account. 
¶13 On February 8, 2018, the Internal Revenue Service 
(IRS) sent Attorney Knapp a Notice of Levy on Wages, Salary and 
Other Income relating to T.B. in the amount of $63,035.74.  On 
that same date, the IRS sent a similar Notice of Levy to River 
Valley Bank for taxpayer DFK Chartered, Attorney Knapp's law 
firm, also in the amount of $63,035.74.  The Notice of Levy 
directed the bank to hold funds in the taxpayer's account for 21 
days before it sent the money to the IRS.  The 21 day period 
would have ended on March 1, 2018.  As of March 1, 2018, the 
balance in Attorney Knapp's trust account was $553.63.  River 
Valley Bank did not disburse any funds to the IRS from Attorney 
Knapp's trust account. 
¶14 On February 14, 2018, Attorney Knapp authorized five 
electronic ACH payments from his trust account to the IRS 
totaling $16,302.40.  The five transactions either had to be 
initiated by Attorney Knapp or authorized by him in advance. 
¶15 On February 22, 2018, Attorney Knapp's trust account 
became overdrawn and had a negative balance of $1,383.90.  As of 
No. 
2019AP1748-D   
 
5 
 
that date, Attorney Knapp failed to hold in trust, and converted 
for other purposes, all $33,444.50 that he should have be 
holding in his trust account on behalf of T.B. 
¶16 On February 26, 2018, a trust account check in the 
amount of $2,881.43 payable to the IRS, issued by Attorney Knapp 
on February 12, 2018, was presented for payment, causing an 
overdraft of $1,851.90 in the trust account. 
¶17 On March 7, 2018, T.B. emailed Attorney Knapp asking 
for the amount he was holding in his trust account for LJB 
Services.  On March 11, 2018, Attorney Knapp emailed T.B. back 
and falsely advised the amount was $33,444.50, when in fact, the 
balance in the trust account on that date was $553.63. 
¶18 On March 12, 2018, T.B. emailed Attorney Knapp stating 
he would like to pick up a check from Attorney Knapp's office.  
On March 13, 2018, Attorney Knapp emailed T.B. and advised he 
would be out of the office but asked for the amount that T.B. 
needed and said he would mail the check to him.  T.B. replied by 
asking if Attorney Knapp could leave a check in the amount of 
$24,873 for him in an envelope at the office so T.B. could pick 
it up.  Attorney Knapp responded by email the same day, saying 
"[h]old off til we can talk to you about an irrevocable trust."  
T.B. responded by email that if Attorney Knapp did not have time 
to do the trust in the next 30 days, he would need to pick up 
the check the following day.  Attorney Knapp emailed back saying 
he was on his way to the Twin Cities and would get back to T.B. 
the following week with a date they could meet.  Attorney Knapp 
and T.B. scheduled a meeting for May 1, 2018 at Attorney Knapp's 
No. 
2019AP1748-D   
 
6 
 
office.  T.B. drove to Attorney Knapp's office on May 1, 2018 
for the meeting, but Attorney Knapp did not show up. 
¶19 On May 9, 2018, T.B. sent a letter to Attorney Knapp 
telling him to send a check for all of the cash he was holding 
for LJB Services in the trust account as well as any bill for 
services.  Attorney Knapp failed to send the check.  On May 17, 
2018, T.B. emailed Attorney Knapp requesting a check for the 
balance of his funds.  On May 21, 2018, Attorney Knapp emailed 
T.B. back saying he would check the account and forward the 
check to T.B.  On May 30, 2018, T.B. emailed Attorney Knapp 
asking why he had not yet received the check. 
¶20 On May 31, 2018, Attorney Knapp emailed T.B. saying 
that he had mailed the check the previous week and that there 
might be a delay due to Memorial Day.  Attorney Knapp also said 
he would "check with the post office and put a trace on it."  
T.B. never received a check for the balance of his trust account 
funds. 
¶21 On June 6, 2018, T.B. again emailed Attorney Knapp and 
made a final request for the entire balance of $33,444.50 of his 
funds in Attorney Knapp's trust account.  Also in June 2018, 
T.B. sent a certified letter to Attorney Knapp requesting the 
return of his funds.  Attorney Knapp's staff signed for the 
letter, but Attorney Knapp did not respond to either the email 
or the certified letter. 
¶22 On June 19, 2018, T.B. confronted Attorney Knapp at a 
bar near Attorney Knapp's office and requested the money.  T.B. 
emailed Attorney Knapp later that day saying he expected a check 
No. 
2019AP1748-D   
 
7 
 
for the full amount in the trust account for LJB Services by 
June 22, 2018.   
¶23 On June 29, 2018, T.B. signed a resolution on behalf 
of LJB Services terminating Attorney Knapp's representation and 
calling for the return of all funds and property held by 
Attorney Knapp. 
¶24 On July 5, 2018, Attorney Alan Panek sent Attorney 
Knapp a letter advising that he represented T.B. and LJB 
Services; 
that 
Attorney 
Knapp's 
representation 
had 
been 
terminated; 
and 
that 
Attorney 
Knapp 
was 
to 
provide 
an 
accounting, full payment of client funds, and the client's file.  
The letter was personally served on Attorney Knapp, but he did 
not respond. 
¶25 On July 17, 2018, Attorney Panek telephoned Attorney 
Knapp and left a message asking why Attorney Knapp had not 
responded to the July 5, 2018 letter.  On July 17, 2018, 
Attorney Panek filed a grievance against Attorney Knapp with the 
OLR. 
¶26 On July 17, 2018, Attorney Knapp sent a letter to T.B. 
falsely saying that the $33,444.50 which he had in his trust 
account for LJB Services had been seized by the IRS.  He claimed 
the IRS executed a levy on his trust account for an IRS lien 
against T.B. personally.  In a letter dated August 29, 2018 to 
the OLR intake staff, Attorney Knapp stated: 
On February 12, 2018, the IRS executed a levy on my 
trust account against money held for [T.B.] of LJB 
Services.  The IRS took the $33,444.50 and applied it 
to [T.B.'s] tax liability.  I do not know how they 
No. 
2019AP1748-D   
 
8 
 
found out about our relationship, but assume it was 
through DFI records.  I informed [T.B.] of this loss, 
but he accused me of stealing it. 
¶27 Attorney Knapp's statements to the OLR about the IRS 
seizure of funds were false. 
¶28 Attorney Knapp's practice was primarily devoted to tax 
preparation, and his work was usually completed before he billed 
his clients and collected funds. 
¶29 Between September 2017 and January 2019, River Valley 
Bank records reflect that Attorney Knapp deposited earned fees 
from 20 checks totaling $7,990 into his trust account.  The bank 
records did not show disbursement from the trust account in the 
same or similar amounts as the deposits, indicating that 
Attorney Knapp deposited earned fees to his trust account and 
held them there.   
¶30 Between September 2017 and January 2019, River Valley 
Bank records reflect that Attorney Knapp made disbursements to 
himself, his law firm, or his employee totaling $16,900.65.  
Attorney Knapp did not include any notations of applicable 
client matters on these trust account checks.  The amount of the 
disbursements exceeded the amount of earned fees that he 
deposited to the trust account by $8,910.65.  Because Attorney 
Knapp did not have sufficient earned fees in the trust account 
to cover the disbursements, he converted other third-party funds 
in order to make these payments.   
¶31 Between September 2017 and January 2019, Attorney 
Knapp also made disbursements to other third parties not 
identifiable to any client matter totaling $22,515.68.  Between 
No. 
2019AP1748-D   
 
9 
 
September 2017 and January 2019, Attorney Knapp made 15 
electronic 
disbursements 
from 
his 
trust 
account 
totaling 
$18,352.93. 
¶32 Between August 2018 and February 2019, River Valley 
Bank records reflect that Attorney Knapp had a number of 
overdrafts on his trust account and was charged multiple 
overdraft fees. 
¶33 On January 4, 2019, Attorney Knapp made a $100 cash 
withdrawal from his trust account. 
¶34 On July 25, 2012, Attorney Knapp was arrested for 
operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated in Marathon County, 
Wisconsin.  He was charged with misdemeanor operating a motor 
vehicle while intoxicated (OWI), fourth offense 
¶35 On December 18, 2012, Attorney Knapp pled no contest 
and was found guilty and convicted of OWI, fourth offense.  The 
court revoked his driver's license; ordered an AODA assessment, 
installation of an ignition interlock device, payment of a fine, 
and participation in the Safe Streets Treatment Options Program.  
The court also sentenced Attorney Knapp to 18-months probation 
with 60 days in jail.  The court then imposed 30 days in jail 
with Huber privileges and stayed 30 days.  Attorney Knapp failed 
to notify the clerk of this court or the OLR of the conviction. 
 
 
 
 
No. 
2019AP1748-D   
 
10 
 
¶36 The OLR's complaint alleged the following counts of 
misconduct: 
Count 1:  Upon receiving funds for T.B. and LJB 
Services, by failing to deliver those funds to T.B., 
Attorney Knapp violated SCR  20:1.15(e)(1).1 
Count 2:  By failing to hold in trust funds belonging 
to T.B. and LJB Services, Attorney Knapp violated 
SCR 20:1.15(b)(1).2 
Count 3:  By failing to fully and accurately respond 
to T.B.'s requests for an accounting and information 
concerning the status of funds received on behalf of 
T.B. 
and 
LJB 
Services, 
Attorney 
Knapp 
violated 
SCR 20:1.4(a)(4).3 
Count 4:  By converting funds belonging to T.B. and 
LJB Services; by providing false information to T.B. 
concerning amounts held in his trust account of behalf 
                                                 
1 SCR 20:1.15(e)(1) provides:   
Upon receiving funds or other property in which a 
client has an interest, or in which a lawyer has 
received notice that a 3rd party has an interest 
identified by a lien, court order, judgment, or 
contract, the lawyer shall promptly notify the client 
or 3rd party in writing. Except as stated in this rule 
or otherwise permitted by law or by agreement with the 
client, the lawyer shall promptly deliver to the 
client or 3rd party any funds or other property that 
the client or 3rd party is entitled to receive.  
2 SCR 20:1.15(b)(1) provides:  
A lawyer shall hold in trust, separate from the 
lawyer's own property, that property of clients and 
3rd parties that is in the lawyer's possession in 
connection with a representation.  All funds of 
clients and 3rd parties paid to a lawyer or law firm 
in connection with a representation shall be deposited 
in one or more identifiable trust accounts.  
3 SCR 20:1.4(a)(4) provides:  "A lawyer shall promptly 
comply with reasonable requests by the client for information." 
No. 
2019AP1748-D   
 
11 
 
of T.B. and LJB Services; by misrepresenting to T.B. 
and Attorney Panek the amount of funds he had been 
holding on behalf of T.B. and LJB Services and that 
the funds had been sized via execution of an IRS levy 
on his trust account; and by misrepresenting to the 
OLR intake staff the amount of funds he had been 
holding on behalf of T.B. and LJB Services and that 
all of the funds had been seized via execution of an 
IRS levy on his trust account Attorney Knapp, in each 
instance, violated SCR 20:8.4(c).4 
Count 5:  By depositing earned fees into his trust 
account, Attorney Knapp violated SCR 20:1.15(b)(3).5 
Count 6:  By making 15 electronic disbursements from 
his 
trust 
account 
totaling 
$18,352.93 
between 
September 2017 and January 2019, Attorney Knapp 
violated SCR 20:1.15(f)(3).6 
                                                 
4 SCR 20:8.4(c) provides:  "It is professional misconduct 
for a lawyer to engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, 
deceit or misrepresentation." 
5 SCR 20:1.15(b)(3) provides:  
No funds belonging to a lawyer or law firm, 
except funds reasonably sufficient to pay monthly 
account service charges, may be deposited or retained 
in a trust account. Each lawyer or law firm that 
receives trust funds shall maintain at least one draft 
account, other than the trust account, for funds 
received and disbursed other than in a trust capacity, 
which shall be entitled "Business Account," "Office 
Account," "Operating Account," or words of similar 
import. 
6 20:1.15(f)(3) provides:  "A lawyer shall not make deposits 
to or disbursements from a trust account by way of an electronic 
transaction, except as provided in SCR 20:1.15(f)(3)a. through 
c." 
No. 
2019AP1748-D   
 
12 
 
Count 7:  By making a $100 cash withdrawal from his 
trust 
account, 
Attorney 
Knapp 
violated 
SCR 20:1.15(f)(2)a.7 
Count 8:  By engaging in conduct leading to his 
conviction of OWI, fourth offense, Attorney Knapp 
violated SCR 20:8.4(b).8 
Count 9:  By failing to notify the OLR and the clerk 
of the supreme court of his OWI fourth conviction, 
Attorney Knapp violated SCR 21.15(5),9 enforceable via 
SCR 20:8.4(f). 
¶37 In the stipulation, Attorney Knapp agreed that the 
facts alleged in the OLR's complaint formed the basis for the 
discipline sought by the OLR, which was the revocation of 
Attorney Knapp's Wisconsin law license.  In the stipulation, 
Attorney 
Knapp 
represented 
that 
he 
full 
understands 
the 
                                                 
7 SCR 20:1.15(f)(2)a. provides:  "No withdrawal of cash 
shall be made from a trust account or from a deposit to a trust 
account. No check shall be made payable to "Cash."  No 
withdrawal shall be made from a trust account by automated 
teller or cash dispensing machine." 
8 SCR 20:8.4(b) provides:  "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." 
9 SCR 21.15(5) provides: 
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. 
No. 
2019AP1748-D   
 
13 
 
allegations; fully understands the ramifications should the 
court 
impose 
the 
stipulated 
level 
of 
discipline; 
fully 
understands his right to contest the matter; fully understands 
his right to consult with counsel; states that his entry into 
the stipulation is made knowingly and voluntarily; states that 
he has read the complaint and the stipulation; and that his 
entry into the stipulation represents his decision not to 
contest the allegations in the complaint or the level and type 
of discipline sought by the OLR's director.  The parties agree 
that an appropriate level of discipline to impose in response to 
Attorney Knapp's misconduct is the revocation of Attorney 
Knapp's license to practice law in Wisconsin and an order 
requiring him to pay $33,444.50 restitution to LJB Services. 
¶38 On August 10, 2020, an in-person plea hearing was held 
at which the referee accepted Attorney Knapp's written pleas and 
found that a factual basis existed for all charges.  In 
addition, the referee determined that Attorney Knapp committed 
all nine counts of misconduct as set forth in the OLR's 
complaint and stipulation. 
¶39 The referee issued his report and recommendation on 
September 8, 2020.  The referee adopted the findings of fact 
contained in the parties' stipulation.  The referee found that 
the OLR had met its burden of proof as to all of the counts of 
misconduct alleged in the complaint.  The referee found that 
revocation of Attorney Knapp's license was an appropriate 
sanction for the misconduct.  The referee said Attorney Knapp's 
conduct was motivated by dishonesty and selfishness, and his 
No. 
2019AP1748-D   
 
14 
 
conversion of over $33,000 of his client's money was obviously 
injurious to the client.  The referee noted that Attorney Knapp 
had considerable experience in the practice of law and obviously 
knew that what he was doing was wrong.  The referee said, "[h]is 
obfuscation and avoidance behavior were clear evidence of 
consciousness of guilt."  The referee went on to say that 
Attorney Knapp  "initially embarked upon a course of attempting 
to mislead the OLR" and it took extensive discovery on the part 
of the OLR before Attorney Knapp "faced up to the full extent of 
his wrongdoing."  The referee also agreed that Attorney Knapp 
should make restitution to LJB Services in the amount of 
$33,444.50 and that he should pay the full costs of this 
proceeding. 
¶40 We will affirm a referee's findings of fact unless 
they are found to be clearly erroneous, but we review a 
referee's conclusions of law de novo.  See In re Disciplinary 
Proceedings Against Inglimo, 2007 WI 126, ¶5, 305 Wis. 2d 71, 
740 N.W.2d 125. The court may impose whatever sanction it sees 
fit regardless of the referee's recommendation.  See In re 
Disciplinary Proceedings Against Widule, 2003 WI 34, ¶44, 261 
Wis. 2d 45, 660 N.W.2d 686. 
¶41 Based upon our review of the record, we approve and 
adopt the referee's findings of fact and conclusions of law.  We 
agree that the seriousness of Attorney Knapp's misconduct 
warrants the revocation of his license to practice law.  
Attorney Knapp engaged in a widespread pattern of serious 
professional 
misconduct 
that 
has 
harmed 
his 
clients 
and 
No. 
2019AP1748-D   
 
15 
 
tarnished the legal profession.  Our precedent clearly supports 
the 
revocation 
of 
his 
law 
license. 
 
See, 
e.g., In 
re 
Disciplinary Proceedings Against Gedlen, 2007 WI 121, 305 
Wis. 2d 34, 739 N.W.2d 274 (attorney's license revoked based on 
28 counts of misconduct which included conversion of client 
funds and multiple trust account violations); In re Disciplinary 
Proceedings Against Kramer, 2010 WI 118, 329 Wis. 2d 361, 789 
N.W.2d 322 (attorney's license revoked based on 69 counts of 
misconduct which included conversion of funds from clients and 
third parties and use of a trust account to conceal assets from 
the Internal Revenue Service).  We also agree with and adopt the 
referee's recommendation that Attorney Knapp be ordered to pay 
restitution and the full costs of this proceeding. 
¶42 IT IS ORDERED that the license of Craig A. Knapp to 
practice law in Wisconsin is revoked, effective as of the date 
of this order. 
¶43 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within 60 days of the date 
of this order, Craig A. Knapp shall pay $33,444.50 restitution 
to LJB Services. 
¶44 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within 60 days of the date 
of this order, Craig A. Knapp shall pay to the Office of Lawyer 
Regulation the costs of this proceeding, which are $5,786.79. 
¶45 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the restitution specified 
above is to be completed prior to paying costs to the Office of 
Lawyer Regulation. 
¶46 IT 
IS 
FURTHER 
ORDERED 
that 
the 
administrative 
suspension of Craig A. Knapp's license to practice law in 
No. 
2019AP1748-D   
 
16 
 
Wisconsin, due to his failure to pay mandatory bar dues and for 
noncompliance with continuing legal education requirements, will 
remain in effect until each reason for the administrative 
suspension has been rectified pursuant to SCR 22.28(1). 
¶47 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Craig A. Knapp shall comply 
with the provisions of SCR 22.26 concerning the duties of a 
person whose license to practice law in Wisconsin has been 
revoked.  
 
 
No.  2019AP1748-D.akz 
 
1 
 
 
¶48 ANNETTE 
KINGSLAND 
ZIEGLER, 
J.   (concurring). 
 
I 
concur in the court's order revoking Attorney Knapp's license to 
practice law in Wisconsin.  I write separately to point out that 
in Wisconsin the "revocation" of an attorney's law license is 
not truly revocation because the attorney may petition for 
readmittance after a period of five years.  See SCR 22.29(2).  I 
believe that when it comes to lawyer discipline, courts should 
say what they mean and mean what they say.  We should not be 
creating false perceptions to both the public and to the lawyer 
seeking to practice law again.  See In re Disciplinary 
Proceedings Against Moodie, 2020 WI 39, 391 Wis. 2d 196, 942 
N.W.2d 302 (Ziegler, J., dissenting).  And, as I stated in my 
dissent to this court's order denying Rule Petition 19-10, In 
the Matter of Amending Supreme Court Rules Pertaining to 
Permanent Revocation of a License to Practice Law in Attorney 
Disciplinary Proceedings, I believe there may be rare and 
unusual cases that would warrant the permanent revocation of an 
attorney's license to practice law.  See S. Ct. Order 19-10 
(issued Dec. 18, 2019) (Ziegler, J., dissenting). 
¶49 I am authorized to state that Justices REBECCA GRASSL 
BRADLEY, REBECCA FRANK DALLET, BRIAN HAGEDORN, and JILL J. 
KAROFSKY join this concurrence. 
 
 
 
No.  2019AP1748-D.akz 
 
 
 
1