Case Title: Office of Lawyer Regulation v. Tracey A. B.

Citation: 

Docket Number: 2019AP002271-D

State: wisconsin

Court: Wisconsin Supreme Court

Date: 2020-02-19T00:00:00Z

Document:
2020 WI 18 
 
SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN 
 
 
 
 
 
CASE NO.: 
2019AP2271-D 
 
 
 
COMPLETE TITLE: 
In the Matter of Medical Incapacity Proceedings  
Against Tracey A. B., Attorney at Law: 
 
Office of Lawyer Regulation, 
          Complainant, 
     v. 
Tracey A. B., 
          Respondent. 
 
 
 
 
 
Medical Incapacity Proceedings Against A.B. 
 
 
OPINION FILED: 
February 19, 2020   
SUBMITTED ON BRIEFS: 
        
ORAL ARGUMENT: 
        
 
 
SOURCE OF APPEAL: 
 
 
COURT: 
        
 
COUNTY: 
        
 
JUDGE: 
        
 
 
 
JUSTICES: 
 
NOT PARTICIPATING: 
        
 
 
 
ATTORNEYS: 
 
      
 
 
 
 
2020 WI 18
NOTICE 
This opinion is subject to further 
editing and modification.  The final 
version will appear in the bound 
volume of the official reports.   
No.   2019AP2271-D 
 
 
STATE OF WISCONSIN  
 
 
   : 
IN SUPREME COURT 
 
 
In the Matter of Medical Incapacity Proceedings  
Against Tracey A. B., Attorney at Law: 
 
Office of Lawyer Regulation, 
 
          Complainant, 
 
     v. 
 
Tracey A. B., 
 
          Respondent. 
 
FILED 
 
FEB 19, 2020 
 
Sheila T. Reiff 
Clerk of Supreme Court 
 
 
 
 
Medical 
Incapacity 
Proceeding.   Attorney's 
license 
indefinitely suspended.   
 
¶1 
PER CURIAM.   This matter involves a Wisconsin attorney, 
Tracey A. Berry, who is also licensed to practice law in Tennessee.  
On July 29, 2019, the Supreme Court of Tennessee issued an order 
transferring Attorney Berry to disability inactive status for an 
indefinite period of time.  Accordingly, the Office of Lawyer 
Regulation (OLR) has informed the court, and Attorney Berry does 
not dispute, that Attorney Berry is subject to a reciprocal 
suspension for medical incapacity in Wisconsin.  Supreme Court 
No. 
2019AP2271-D   
 
2 
 
Rule (SCR) 22.22.1  The OLR and Attorney Berry filed a stipulation 
pursuant to SCR 22.12, agreeing that Attorney Berry's license to 
                                                 
1 SCR 22.22 provides: 
(1) An attorney on whom public discipline for 
misconduct 
or 
a 
license 
suspension 
for 
medical 
incapacity has been imposed by another jurisdiction 
shall promptly notify the director of the matter. 
Failure to furnish the notice within 20 days of the 
effective date of the order or judgment of the other 
jurisdiction constitutes misconduct. 
(2) Upon the receipt of a certified copy of a 
judgment or order of another jurisdiction imposing 
discipline for misconduct or a license suspension for 
medical incapacity of an attorney admitted to the 
practice of law or engaged in the practice of law in 
this state, the director may file a complaint in the 
supreme court containing all of the following: 
(a) A certified copy of the judgment or order from 
the other jurisdiction. 
(b) A motion requesting an order directing the 
attorney to inform the supreme court in writing within 
20 days of any claim of the attorney predicated on the 
grounds set forth in sub. (3) that the imposition of the 
identical discipline or license suspension by the 
supreme court would be unwarranted and the factual basis 
for the claim. 
(3) The supreme court shall impose the identical 
discipline or license suspension unless one or more of 
the following is present: 
(a) The procedure in the other jurisdiction was so 
lacking in notice or opportunity to be heard as to 
constitute a deprivation of due process.  
(b) There 
was 
such 
an 
infirmity 
of 
proof 
establishing the misconduct or medical incapacity that 
the supreme court could not accept as final the 
conclusion in respect to the misconduct or medical 
incapacity.  
No. 
2019AP2271-D   
 
3 
 
practice law in Wisconsin should be suspended indefinitely for her 
medical incapacity.  After reviewing the matter, we approve the 
stipulation.  We impose no costs in this matter.  
¶2 
Attorney Berry was admitted to the practice of law in 
Wisconsin in 2003.  She was admitted to the practice of law in 
Tennessee in 2004.  Attorney Berry's most recent professional 
address is in Tennessee.  
¶3 
Attorney Berry has not been the subject of any 
professional discipline in this state.  Her license to practice 
law in Wisconsin has been administratively suspended since October 
                                                 
(c) The 
misconduct 
justifies 
substantially 
different discipline in this state. 
(4) Except as provided in sub. (3), a final 
adjudication in another jurisdiction that an attorney 
has engaged in misconduct or has a medical incapacity 
shall 
be 
conclusive 
evidence 
of 
the 
attorney's 
misconduct or medical incapacity for purposes of a 
proceeding under this rule.  
(5) The supreme court may refer a complaint filed 
under sub. (2) to a referee for a hearing and a report 
and recommendation pursuant to SCR 22.16.  At the 
hearing, the burden is on the party seeking the 
imposition of discipline or license suspension different 
from that imposed in the other jurisdiction to 
demonstrate that the imposition of identical discipline 
or 
license 
suspension 
by 
the 
supreme 
court 
is 
unwarranted. 
(6) If the discipline or license suspension imposed 
in the other jurisdiction has been stayed, any 
reciprocal discipline or license suspension imposed by 
the supreme court shall be held in abeyance until the 
stay expires. 
No. 
2019AP2271-D   
 
4 
 
31, 2009 for failure to pay bar dues and assessments and for 
failure to file a trust account certificate.  
¶4 
On December 2, 2019, the OLR filed a complaint stating 
that on July 25, 2019, the Tennessee Board of Professional 
Responsibility filed a Petition to Transfer Attorney Berry to 
Disability Inactive Status.  On July 29, 2019, the Supreme Court 
of Tennessee issued an order that transferred Attorney Berry to 
disability inactive status for an indefinite period of time until 
further order of that court.  In Re: Tracey Alice Berry, BPR 
#023508, case no. M2019-01350-SC-BAR-BP.  The Tennessee order 
provides that Attorney Berry may petition for reinstatement 
pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, §27.7.2 
                                                 
2 Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, §27.7 provides in pertinent part 
as follows: 
(a) No attorney transferred to disability inactive 
status pursuant to Section 27 may resume active status 
until reinstated by order of the Court. Any attorney 
transferred to disability inactive status pursuant to 
Section 
27 
shall 
be 
entitled 
to 
petition 
for 
reinstatement to active status after the disability is 
removed.  The petition for reinstatement shall be filed 
with the Court in the form adopted by the Board.  The 
petitioner shall serve a copy of the petition upon 
Disciplinary Counsel, who shall investigate the matter 
and file an answer to the petition within thirty days.  
The answer shall include a recommendation as to whether 
the petition should be granted without a hearing or 
referred to a hearing panel for a hearing. 
(b) Upon the filing of a petition for reimbursement 
pursuant to Section 27, the Court may take or direct 
such action as it deems necessary or proper to a 
determination of whether the attorney's disability has 
been removed, including a direction for an examination 
of the attorney by such qualified medical or mental 
health experts as the Court shall designate and the 
No. 
2019AP2271-D   
 
5 
 
¶5 
After service of the OLR's complaint, the OLR and 
Attorney Berry entered into a stipulation.  The stipulation states 
that the Supreme Court of Tennessee order has essentially the same 
force and effect that imposition of a medical incapacity suspension 
would have on a Wisconsin licensed attorney's ability to practice 
law.  Similarly, the criteria for Attorney Berry to reinstate her 
Tennessee law license under Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, §27.7 (a) and (b) 
and §27.93 are substantially similar to the reinstatement criteria 
                                                 
furnishing of such expert's report to the Board, the 
Court, and the attorney and the attorney's counsel.  In 
its discretion, the Court may direct that the expense of 
such an examination shall be paid by the attorney, and 
that the attorney establish proof of competence and 
learning in law, which proof may include certification 
by the Board of Law Examiners of the successful 
completion of an examination for admission to practice.  
The Court also may refer the petition to a hearing panel 
for a hearing in which the petitioner shall have the 
burden of proof.  The hearing shall be governed by 
Section 30.4.  The petition shall be granted upon a 
showing by clear and convincing evidence that the 
attorney's disability has been removed and the attorney 
is fit to resume the practice of law. 
3 Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, §27.9 provides as follows:  
The filing of a petition for reinstatement to 
active status by an attorney transferred to disability 
inactive status because of disability shall be deemed to 
constitute a waiver of any doctor-patient privilege with 
respect to any treatment of the attorney during the 
period of disability.  The attorney shall be required to 
disclose the name of every psychiatrist, psychologist, 
physician and hospital or other institution by whom or 
in which the attorney has been examined or treated since 
the transfer to disability inactive status, and shall 
furnish to the Court written consent to each to divulge 
such information and records as requested by court 
appointed medical experts. 
No. 
2019AP2271-D   
 
6 
 
considered by this court in medical incapacity proceedings.  See 
SCR 22.36.4 
                                                 
4 SCR 22.36 provides: 
(l) An attorney whose license to practice law is 
suspended or whose practice of law is subject to 
conditions for medical incapacity may petition the 
supreme court at any time for reinstatement of the 
license or the removal of conditions. 
(2) The supreme court shall refer the petition to 
the director for investigation to determine whether the 
attorney's medical incapacity has been removed. 
(3) The filing of a petition for reinstatement 
constitutes a waiver of any privilege existing between 
the petitioner and any psychiatrist, psychologist, 
physician or other health care provider that has 
provided care to the attorney. The petitioner shall 
disclose the name of every psychiatrist, psychologist, 
physician and other health care provider that has 
provided care following suspension or the imposition of 
conditions and shall furnish the director written 
consent to the release of information and records 
requested by the medical experts appointed by the 
director or a referee. 
(4) The 
director 
may 
direct 
a 
medical 
or 
psychological examination of the petitioner by such 
qualified experts as the director designates and may 
direct that the expense of the examination be paid by 
the petitioner. 
(5) Following the investigation, the petition shall 
be submitted to a referee.  The clerk or deputy clerk of 
the supreme court shall select an available referee from 
the panel provided in SCR 21.08, based on the location 
of the respondent's place of residence, and the chief 
justice or, in his or her absence, the chief justice's 
delegee shall issue an order appointing the referee 
selected by the clerk or deputy clerk to review the 
petition. 
(6) The petitioner has the burden of showing by 
clear, satisfactory and convincing evidence that the 
No. 
2019AP2271-D   
 
7 
 
¶6 
In the stipulation, Attorney Berry agrees that the facts 
alleged in the OLR's complaint support the imposition of an 
indefinite suspension for medical incapacity.  Attorney Berry 
states that she does not claim any of the exceptions provided in 
SCR 22.22(3).  She agrees that it would be appropriate to suspend 
her license to practice law in Wisconsin for an indefinite period 
of time, as sought by the OLR.  Attorney Berry further states that 
the stipulation did not result from plea bargaining, that she 
understands what is stated in the OLR complaint, her right to 
contest the matter, and she is aware of the potential ramifications 
of the stipulation.  She acknowledges her right to consult with 
counsel.  She states that she is entering into the stipulation 
knowingly and voluntarily, and that her entry into the stipulation 
represents her decision not to contest the suspension for medical 
incapacity that is sought by the OLR.  
¶7 
Having reviewed the matter, we accept the stipulation 
and agree that Attorney Berry's license to practice law in 
                                                 
medical incapacity has been removed and that the 
petitioner is fit to resume the practice of law, with or 
without conditions.  
(7) The referee shall hold a hearing on the 
petition, 
if 
necessary, 
and 
file 
a 
report 
and 
recommendation in the supreme court. 
(8) If an attorney whose license to practice law 
has been suspended for medical incapacity pursuant to 
SCR 22.35 is thereafter judicially declared to be no 
longer in the condition previously determined under Wis. 
Stat. chapter 51 or chapter 880 (1997-98), the supreme 
court may direct reinstatement of the attorney's 
license, with or without conditions. 
No. 
2019AP2271-D   
 
8 
 
Wisconsin should be suspended for an indefinite period of time for 
medical incapacity, based on the actions of the Supreme Court of 
Tennessee.  SCR 22.22.  Because this matter has been resolved by 
stipulation without the appointment of a referee, we do not impose 
any costs in this matter. 
¶8 
IT IS ORDERED that, effective the date of this order, 
the license of Tracey A. Berry to practice law in Wisconsin is 
suspended for an indefinite period of time due to medical 
incapacity, based on the Supreme Court of Tennessee order 
transferring Attorney Berry to disability inactive status for an 
indefinite period of time.  See In Re: Tracey Alice Berry, BPR 
#023508, case no. M2019-01350-SC-BAR-BP. 
¶9 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the administrative suspension 
of Tracey A. Berry's license to practice law in Wisconsin, due to 
her failure to pay mandatory bar dues and for failure to file a 
trust account certification, will remain in effect until each 
reason for the administrative suspension has been rectified 
pursuant to SCR 22.28(1). 
¶10 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Tracey A. Berry shall comply 
with the provisions of SCR 22.26 concerning the duties of a person 
whose license to practice law in Wisconsin has been suspended.  
 
 
 
 
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