Case Title: Office of Lawyer Regulation v. John F. Koenig

Citation: 

Docket Number: 

State: wisconsin

Court: Wisconsin Supreme Court

Date: 2019-03-21T00:00:00Z

Document:
2019 WI 28 
 
SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN 
 
 
 
 
 
CASE NO.: 
2014AP1523-D 
COMPLETE TITLE: 
In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings 
Against  
John F. Koenig, Attorney at Law: 
 
Office of Lawyer Regulation, 
          Complainant, 
     v. 
John F. Koenig, 
          Respondent. 
 
 
 
 
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST KOENIG 
Reported at 361 Wis. 2d 16,859 N.W.2d 105 
PDC No:2015 WI 16 - Published 
 
 
OPINION FILED: 
March 21, 2019 
SUBMITTED ON BRIEFS: 
      
ORAL ARGUMENT: 
      
 
 
SOURCE OF APPEAL: 
 
 
COURT: 
      
 
COUNTY: 
      
 
JUDGE: 
      
 
 
 
JUSTICES: 
 
 
CONCURRED: 
      
 
DISSENTED: 
      
 
NOT PARTICIPATING:          
 
 
 
ATTORNEYS: 
 
 
      
 
 
2019 WI 28
NOTICE 
This opinion is subject to further 
editing and modification.  The final 
version will appear in the bound 
volume of the official reports.   
No.   2014AP1523-D 
 
 
STATE OF WISCONSIN  
 
 
   : 
IN SUPREME COURT 
 
 
In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings 
Against John F. Koenig, Attorney at Law: 
 
Office of Lawyer Regulation, 
 
          Complainant, 
 
     v. 
 
John F. Koenig, 
 
          Respondent. 
FILED 
 
MAR 21, 2019 
 
Sheila T. Reiff 
Clerk of Supreme Court 
 
 
 
 
ATTORNEY reinstatement proceeding.   Reinstatement granted.  
 
¶1 
PER CURIAM.   We review the report and recommendation 
of Referee Kim M. Peterson in favor of reinstating the license 
of Attorney John F. Koenig to practice law in Wisconsin.  After 
careful review of the matter, we agree that Attorney Koenig's 
license should be reinstated.  Consistent with our general 
practice, we require Attorney Koenig to pay the full costs of 
this reinstatement proceeding, which are $3,646.23 as of 
December 5, 2018. 
¶2 
Attorney Koenig was admitted to practice law in 
Wisconsin in 1997.  Effective March 19, 2015, this court 
No. 
2014AP1523-D   
 
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suspended Attorney Koenig's license to practice law for a period 
of two years as discipline for his professional misconduct.  In 
re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Koenig, 2015 WI 16, 361 
Wis. 2d 16, 859 N.W.2d 105.  The misconduct consisted of 
Attorney Koenig's embezzling funds from his law firm. 
¶3 
Attorney Koenig filed a petition for the reinstatement 
of his license on April 5, 2018.  An evidentiary hearing was 
held on October 5, 2018.  On November 20, 2018, the referee 
issued her report and recommendation.  The referee found that 
Attorney Koenig had not practiced law during the period of his 
suspension; had complied with the terms of the order of 
suspension; that his conduct since the suspension has been 
exemplary and above reproach; that he has a proper understanding 
of an attitude towards the standards that are imposed upon 
members of the bar and will act in conformity with those 
standards; and that he can be safely 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 also found that Attorney 
Koenig's proposed use of his license, if it is reinstated, is to 
engage in the general practice of law representing the elderly; 
that during the period of his suspension, he has worked as a 
technical sales manager at Morgan Corporation in Janesville, 
Wisconsin; and that he has made restitution to or settled all 
claims of all persons injured or harmed by his misconduct.  The 
No. 
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referee noted that Attorney Koenig had failed to comply with the 
requirements of SCR 22.29(4)(d) because he had not yet completed 
60 hours of approved continuing legal education (CLE) credits.  
On December 13, 2018, the Board of Bar Examiners reported that 
Attorney Koenig had completed all necessary credits and was 
currently in compliance with CLE requirements. 
¶4 
The referee concluded that Attorney Koenig had proven, 
by clear and convincing evidence, that he has satisfied the 
requirements for reinstatement.  The referee noted that in 
support of his petition for reinstatement, Attorney Koenig had 
his pastor, his current employer, and his proposed new employer 
testify on his behalf at the evidentiary hearing.  A family 
friend also testified.  The referee noted all witnesses 
presented by Attorney Koenig testified that he was a good person 
who acted appropriately and whose conduct was without reproach.  
Attorney Koenig's new employer stated that he was convinced 
Attorney Koenig had changed his ways and that he will be able to 
be trusted with the firm's clients.  In addition, the new 
employer said that some ground rules would be followed to ensure 
that Attorney Koenig does not have the ability to misappropriate 
funds while working for the firm. 
¶5 
The referee said Attorney Koenig expressed appropriate 
remorse for his past conduct, has examined his shortcomings, and 
has made efforts to minimize those character traits that might 
have led to his prior misconduct.  The referee said she was 
confident the events of the past years have had an impact on 
Attorney Koenig so that he will proceed forward in the practice 
No. 
2014AP1523-D   
 
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of law with an appropriate respect and understanding of the 
ethical standards imposed upon an attorney's conduct.  The 
referee also noted that the Office of Lawyer Regulation had no 
objection to Attorney Koenig's reinstatement, conditioned on his 
completion of the appropriate educational requirements, which he 
has now done.  The referee recommended that Attorney Koenig be 
ordered to pay the full costs of this reinstatement proceeding.   
¶6 
After consideration of the matter, we conclude that 
Attorney Koenig has satisfied the requirements set forth in 
SCR 22.31(1) and SCR 22.29(4)(a)-(4m), and that his license to 
practice law in Wisconsin should be reinstated. 
¶7 
IT IS ORDERED that the petition for reinstatement of 
the license of John F. Koenig to practice law in Wisconsin is 
granted, effective the date of this order. 
¶8 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, within 60 days of the date 
of this order, John F. Koenig shall pay to the Office of Lawyer 
Regulation the costs of this proceeding, which are $3,646.23 as 
of December 5, 2018.  If the costs are not paid within the time 
specified and John F. Koenig has not negotiated a resolution as 
to the payment of costs over time with the Office of Lawyer 
Regulation, the Office of Lawyer Regulation is authorized to 
move this court for a further suspension of the license of John 
F. Koenig to practice law in Wisconsin.   
 
No. 
2014AP1523-D   
 
 
 
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