Case Title: Office of Lawyer Regulation v. Leslie J. Webster

Citation: 2004 WI 127

Docket Number: 

State: wisconsin

Court: Wisconsin Supreme Court

Date: 2004-10-19T00:00:00Z

Document:
2004 WI 127 
 
 
 
SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN 
 
 
 
 
 
CASE NO.: 
98-0677-D 
COMPLETE TITLE: 
 
 
In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings 
Against Leslie J. Webster, Attorney at Law. 
 
Office of Lawyer Regulation, f/k/a Board  
of Attorneys Professional Responsibility,  
          Complainant, 
 
     v. 
 
Leslie J. Webster,  
          Respondent. 
 
 
 
 
REINSTATEMENT OF WEBSTER 
 
 
OPINION FILED: 
October 19, 2004   
SUBMITTED ON BRIEFS: 
        
ORAL ARGUMENT: 
        
 
 
SOURCE OF APPEAL: 
 
 
COURT: 
        
 
COUNTY: 
        
 
JUDGE: 
        
 
 
 
JUSTICES: 
 
 
CONCURRED: 
        
 
DISSENTED: 
        
 
NOT PARTICIPATING: WILCOX, J., did not participate.   
 
 
 
ATTORNEYS: 
 
      
 
 
2004 WI 127 
 
 
SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTICE 
This order is subject to further 
editing and modification.  The 
final version will appear in the 
bound volume of the official 
reports.   
 
 
 
No.  98-0677-D  
 
 
In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings 
Against Leslie J. Webster, Attorney at Law. 
 
Office of Lawyer Regulation, f/k/a Board  
of Attorneys Professional Responsibility,  
          Complainant, 
 
     v. 
 
Leslie J. Webster,  
          Respondent. 
FILED 
 
OCT 19, 2004 
 
Cornelia G. Clark 
Clerk of Supreme Court 
Madison, WI 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Court entered the following order on this date: 
 
Leslie J. Webster's license to practice law in Wisconsin 
was suspended on January 21, 1998, by this court for two years 
following his felony conviction in federal court on the charge 
of aiding and abetting a fraudulent concealment of a debtor's 
property 
from 
a 
bankruptcy 
trustee. 
 
In re 
Disciplinary 
Proceedings Against Webster, 217 Wis. 2d 371, 577 N.W.2d 21 
(1998).   
 
On July 11, 2002, this court denied Webster's petition for 
reinstatement of his license consistent with the recommendation 
of the referee appointed in that earlier matter.  In re 
Disciplinary Proceedings Against Webster, 2002 WI 100, 255 
Wis. 2d 323, 647 N.W.2d 831.   
 
Subsequently, on June 25, 2003, Webster filed this second 
petition for reinstatement and Timothy L. Vocke was appointed as 
referee.  After a public hearing, Referee Vocke filed his report 
and recommendation in this court on June 23, 2004.  The referee 
No. 98-0677-d   
 
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set forth specific findings of fact and conclusions of law and 
stated that Webster had satisfied his burden under SCR 22.31 to 
demonstrate by clear, satisfactory and convincing evidence that 
he had the moral character to practice law in this state, that 
his resumption of the practice of law would not be detrimental 
to the administration of justice or subversive to the public 
interests, and that he had fully complied with the terms of his 
suspension and the requirements of SCR 22.26.  By memorandum 
dated March 26, 2004, the Board of Bar Examiners has recommended 
Webster's reinstatement provided that he complies with 2004-2005 
CLE requirements by reporting an additional 30.0 approved hours, 
including 3. hours EPR; or by electing the exemption available 
at SCR 31.04(2) on the CLE Form 1 that will be due for the 2004-
2005 reporting period.   
 
This court now accepts Referee Vocke's findings of fact, 
conclusions of law and recommendation.1 
 
IT IS ORDERED that the license to practice law of Leslie J. 
Webster be reinstated effective the date of this order provided 
that he comply with the CLE requirements outlined above.  
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within six months of the date of 
this order, Leslie J. Webster pay the costs of this proceeding 
now totaling $5375.79.  If the costs are not paid by that date, 
and absent a showing to this court of his inability to pay the 
costs, the license of Leslie J. Webster to practice law in 
Wisconsin shall be suspended until further order of this court.   
 
Wilcox, J., did not participate.   
 
 
 
                                                 
1 The court is aware that Webster has recently been charged 
with two misdemeanors, that he has pled not guilty, and that a 
trial date has been set.  This order granting Webster’s petition 
for reinstatement should not be interpreted as reflecting the 
court’s view regarding Webster’s guilt or innocence on the 
pending charges.  We note that under Supreme Court rules, if an 
attorney has been found guilty or is convicted of a serious 
crime, the court may summarily suspend the attorney’s license to 
practice law pending final disposition of a disciplinary 
proceeding.  See SCR 22.20.   
No. 98-0677-d   
 
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