Case Title: Plaintiff v. Defendant

Citation: 2014 WI 24

Docket Number: 

State: wisconsin

Court: Wisconsin Supreme Court

Date: 2014-05-20T00:00:00Z

Document:
2014 WI 24 
 
SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN 
 
 
 
 
 
CASE NO.: 
2009AP892-D & 2012AP1777-D   
COMPLETE TITLE: 
In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings  
Against Naomi E. Soldon, Attorney at Law: 
 
Office of Lawyer Regulation, 
          Complainant, 
     v. 
Naomi E. Soldon, 
          Respondent. 
 
 
 
 
 
      
 
 
OPINION FILED: 
May 20, 2014 
SUBMITTED ON BRIEFS: 
        
ORAL ARGUMENT: 
      
 
 
SOURCE OF APPEAL: 
 
 
COURT: 
         
 
COUNTY: 
       
 
JUDGE: 
      
 
 
 
JUSTICES: 
 
 
CONCURRED: 
        
 
DISSENTED: 
        
 
NOT PARTICIPATING:         
 
 
 
ATTORNEYS: 
 
 
 
 
 
2014 WI 24
NOTICE 
This opinion is subject to further 
editing and modification.  The final 
version will appear in the bound 
volume of the official reports.   
Nos.   2009AP892-D 
 
2012AP1777-D 
 
 
STATE OF WISCONSIN  
 
 
   : 
IN SUPREME COURT 
 
 
In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings  
Against Naomi E. Soldon, Attorney at Law: 
 
Office of Lawyer Regulation, 
 
          Complainant, 
 
     v. 
 
Naomi E. Soldon, 
 
          Respondent. 
 
FILED 
 
MAY 20, 2014 
 
Diane M. Fremgen 
Clerk of Supreme Court 
 
 
 
 
ATTORNEY reinstatement proceeding.   Reinstatement granted 
upon conditions.   
 
¶1 
PER CURIAM.   We review a report filed by referee 
Christine Harris Taylor recommending that the court reinstate, 
with conditions, the license of Naomi E. Soldon to practice law 
in Wisconsin.  After careful review of the matter, we agree that 
Attorney 
Soldon's 
license 
should 
be 
reinstated 
and 
that 
conditions should be placed upon her resumption of the practice 
of law.  We also agree with the referee that Attorney Soldon 
Nos. 2009AP892-D 
2012AP1777-D   
 
2 
 
should be required to pay the costs of this reinstatement 
proceeding, which are $2,680.59 as of January 29, 2014. 
¶2 
Attorney Soldon was admitted to practice law in 
Wisconsin in 1990.  She most recently practiced law in the 
Milwaukee area.  In 2010, Attorney Soldon's license to practice 
law was suspended for six months for misconduct primarily 
related to a series of retail thefts and her subsequent 
interactions with law enforcement.  Those incidents occurred 
over a period of time from the spring of 2007 through the spring 
of 2008.  In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Soldon, 
2010 WI 27, 324 Wis. 2d 4, 782 N.W.2d 81. 
¶3 
In May of 2012, Attorney Soldon filed a petition for 
the reinstatement of her license to practice law.  In June of 
2012, prior to the appointment of a referee in the reinstatement 
proceeding, the Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) filed a letter 
expressing the parties' joint request that a referee not be 
appointed at that time.  In August of 2012, the OLR filed a new 
disciplinary complaint against Attorney Soldon and in September 
of 2012, the parties filed an SCR 22.12 stipulation in the new 
disciplinary action.  On October 9, 2012, this court granted the 
parties' joint request that Attorney Soldon's petition for 
reinstatement be held in abeyance pending the resolution of the 
new disciplinary action. 
¶4 
On December 7, 2012, Attorney Soldon's license to 
practice law in Wisconsin was suspended for six months, with the 
suspension made retroactive to October 16, 2010, the date when 
Nos. 2009AP892-D 
2012AP1777-D   
 
3 
 
her original six-month suspension was scheduled to end.  The 
misconduct allegations giving rise to the 2012 case arose out of 
Attorney Soldon's convictions for retail theft in both Wisconsin 
and Illinois.  In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Soldon, 
2012 WI 122, 344 Wis. 2d 581, 824 N.W.2d 439.  On March 15, 
2013, this court lifted the stay of proceedings with respect to 
Attorney Soldon's petition for the reinstatement of her license 
to practice law in Wisconsin. 
¶5 
Attorney 
Soldon 
filed 
an 
amended 
reinstatement 
petition.  The OLR filed a response indicating it did not oppose 
the petition, provided that Attorney Soldon be required to 
provide the OLR with quarterly reports from her treating 
physician, Lance P. Longo, M.D., for a period of two years to 
confirm that Attorney Soldon is maintaining her sobriety and 
continuing to abstain from gambling.  A public hearing on the 
reinstatement petition was held on November 15, 2013.  The 
referee filed her report and recommendation on December 13, 
2013, and filed an amended report on January 9, 2014. 
¶6 
Supreme Court Rule 22.31(1)1 provides the standards to 
be met for reinstatement.  Specifically, the petitioner must 
                                                 
1 SCR 22.31(1) states: 
The petitioner has the burden of demonstrating, 
by clear, satisfactory, and convincing evidence, all 
of the following: 
(a) That he or she has the moral character to 
practice law in Wisconsin. 
Nos. 2009AP892-D 
2012AP1777-D   
 
4 
 
show by clear, satisfactory, and convincing evidence that he or 
she has the moral character to practice law; that his or her 
resumption of the practice of law will not be detrimental to the 
administration of justice or subversive of the public interest; 
and that he or she has complied with SCR 22.26 and the terms of 
the order of suspension.  In addition to these requirements, 
SCR 22.29(4)(a)-(4m)2 provides additional requirements that a 
                                                                                                                                                             
(b) That his or her resumption of the practice of 
law will not be detrimental to the administration of 
justice or subversive of the public interest. 
(c) That his or her representations in the 
petition, including the representations required by 
SCR 
22.29(4)(a) 
to 
[(4m)] 
and 
22.29(5), 
are 
substantiated. 
(d) That he or she has complied fully with the 
terms of the order of suspension or revocation and 
with the requirements of SCR 22.26. 
2 SCR 22.29(4)(a) through (4m) provides that a petition for 
reinstatement shall show all of the following: 
(a) The 
petitioner 
desires 
to 
have 
the 
petitioner's license reinstated. 
(b) The petitioner has not practiced law during 
the period of suspension or revocation. 
(c) The petitioner has complied fully with the 
terms of the order of suspension or revocation and 
will 
continue 
to 
comply 
with 
them 
until 
the 
petitioner's license is reinstated. 
(d) The petitioner has maintained competence and 
learning in the law by attendance at identified 
educational activities. 
(e) The petitioner's conduct since the suspension 
or revocation has been exemplary and above reproach. 
Nos. 2009AP892-D 
2012AP1777-D   
 
5 
 
petition for reinstatement must show.  All of these additional 
requirements are effectively incorporated into SCR 22.31(1). 
¶7 
When we review a referee's report and recommendation, 
we will adopt the referee's findings of fact unless they are 
clearly erroneous.  Conclusions of law are reviewed de novo.  
See 
In 
re 
Disciplinary 
Proceedings 
Against 
Eisenberg, 
2004 WI 14, ¶5, 269 Wis. 2d 43, 675 N.W.2d 747. 
¶8 
We 
conclude 
the 
referee's 
findings 
support 
a 
determination that Attorney Soldon has met her burden to 
                                                                                                                                                             
(f) The petitioner has a proper understanding of 
and attitude toward the standards that are imposed 
upon members of the bar and will act in conformity 
with the standards. 
(g) The petitioner can safely be recommended to 
the legal profession, the courts and the public as a 
person fit to be consulted by others and to represent 
them and otherwise act in matters of trust and 
confidence and in general to aid in the administration 
of justice as a member of the bar and as an officer of 
the courts. 
(h) The petitioner has fully complied with the 
requirements set forth in SCR 22.26. 
(j) The petitioner's proposed use of the license 
if reinstated. 
(k) A full description of all of the petitioner's 
business activities during the period of suspension or 
revocation. 
(4m) The petitioner has made restitution to or 
settled all claims of persons injured or harmed by 
petitioner's misconduct, including reimbursement to 
the Wisconsin lawyers' fund for client protection for 
all payments made from that fund, or, if not, the 
petitioner's explanation of the failure or inability 
to do so. 
Nos. 2009AP892-D 
2012AP1777-D   
 
6 
 
establish by clear, convincing, and satisfactory evidence that 
she has met all of the standards required for reinstatement. 
¶9 
The referee found that during the term of her 
suspension, Attorney Soldon has not practiced law.  Although she 
assisted her husband with his law practice, the referee found 
that 
Attorney 
Soldon 
vigilantly 
ensured 
that 
her 
work 
constituted neither the unauthorized practice of law, nor law 
work activity customarily done by law students, law clerks, or 
other paralegal personnel; and that her routine duties included 
billing, filing, mailing, marketing, purchasing, scheduling, 
typing, and other purely administrative functions. 
¶10 The referee found that Attorney Soldon has fully 
complied with the terms of the order of suspension and that she 
was not required to make any restitution or settle any claims 
caused by her misconduct.  The referee found that Attorney 
Soldon has maintained competence and learning in the law by 
attending various continuing legal education conferences and 
programs.  The referee also found that Attorney Soldon's conduct 
since the time of her suspension has been exemplary and above 
reproach. 
¶11 The referee noted that Attorney Soldon's misconduct 
arose from her substance abuse and gambling addiction, and since 
the time of her suspension she has participated in a one-year 
Milwaukee 
County 
drug 
treatment 
program 
as 
part 
of 
the 
successful completion of deferred prosecution agreements that  
resulted in the dismissal of charges against her in Milwaukee 
Nos. 2009AP892-D 
2012AP1777-D   
 
7 
 
County.  In addition to the drug court program, Attorney Soldon 
participated in a 28-day inpatient treatment program, followed 
by outpatient treatment and ongoing individual treatment. 
¶12 The referee noted that on August 8, 2013, Dr. Longo 
sent 
the 
OLR 
a 
letter 
recommending 
Attorney 
Soldon's 
reinstatement 
and 
outlining 
her 
treatment 
and 
prognosis.  
Dr. Longo stated that Attorney Soldon demonstrated integrity 
throughout her treatment.  Dr. Longo said Attorney Soldon's 
chances of relapsing were particularly low given the strength 
and length, almost four years, of her recovery.  Dr. Longo said, 
"My prognosis, therefore, is that [Attorney Soldon] will 
maintain her recovery.  As the misconduct resulted from her 
addictions that are no longer problematic, I believe that 
[Attorney Soldon] is fit to practice law in Wisconsin." 
¶13 The referee found that Attorney Soldon has a proper 
understanding of and attitude toward the standards that are 
imposed upon members of the bar and will act in conformity with 
those standards.  The referee also found that Attorney Soldon 
can safely be recommended to the legal profession, the courts, 
and the public as a person fit to be consulted by others and to 
represent them and otherwise act in matters of trust and 
confidence and in general to aid in the administration of 
justice as a member of the bar and as an officer of the courts.  
The referee noted that if her license to practice is reinstated, 
Attorney Soldon intends to practice labor law, as she did prior 
to her suspension, and she plans to work with her husband. 
Nos. 2009AP892-D 
2012AP1777-D   
 
8 
 
¶14 The referee noted that no testimony was presented 
during the hearing to indicate opposition to Attorney Soldon's 
request that her license to practice law in Wisconsin be 
reinstated. 
¶15 The 
referee 
stated, 
"Ms. 
Soldon 
has 
testified 
convincingly about the facts and circumstances leading to her 
suspension.  She takes full responsibility for her addiction and 
is committed to her recovery."  The referee recommends that 
Attorney Soldon's license to practice law in Wisconsin be 
reinstated subject to a requirement that she provide the OLR 
with quarterly reports from Dr. Longo for a period of two years 
to confirm that she is maintaining her sobriety and continuing 
to abstain from gambling. 
¶16 This court has carefully evaluated whether Attorney 
Soldon has indeed met the requirements for the reinstatement of 
her license to practice law in Wisconsin, and we conclude that 
she has.  Attorney Soldon has acknowledged the wrongfulness of 
her conduct, voluntarily entered into a rehabilitation program, 
and by all accounts has successfully undergone treatment for her 
addictions.  We agree with the referee that Attorney Soldon has 
met her burden of proof with respect to all elements needed to 
justify her reinstatement.  We agree with the referee that, as a 
condition of her reinstatement, Attorney Soldon should be 
required to provide the OLR with quarterly reports from 
Dr. Longo for a period of two years to confirm that she is 
maintaining 
her 
sobriety 
and 
continuing 
to 
abstain 
from 
Nos. 2009AP892-D 
2012AP1777-D   
 
9 
 
gambling.  We also agree with the referee's recommendation that 
Attorney Soldon should pay the full costs of the proceeding, 
which are $2,680.59. 
¶17 IT IS ORDERED that the license of Naomi E. Soldon to 
practice law in Wisconsin is reinstated effective the date of 
this order. 
¶18 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, as a condition of the 
reinstatement of her license to practice law in Wisconsin, 
Naomi E. Soldon shall provide the Office of Lawyer Regulation 
with quarterly reports from Dr. Lance Longo for a period of two 
years to confirm that she is maintaining her sobriety and 
continuing to abstain from gambling. 
¶19 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within 60 days of the date 
of this order, Naomi E. Soldon shall pay to the Office of Lawyer 
Regulation the costs of this proceeding. 
¶20 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that compliance with all of the 
terms of this order remains a condition of Naomi E. Soldon's 
license to practice law in Wisconsin. 
 
 
 
 
 
Nos. 2009AP892-D 
2012AP1777-D   
 
 
 
1