Title: Board of Attorneys Professional Responsibility v. Jonathan A. Olson

State: wisconsin

Issuer: Wisconsin Supreme Court

Document:

2007 WI 28 
 
SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN 
 
 
 
 
 
CASE NO.: 
1997AP3544-D 
 
 
COMPLETE TITLE: 
 
 
In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings 
Against Jonathan A. Olson, Attorney at Law: 
 
 
Board of Attorneys Professional Responsibility, 
n/k/a Office of Lawyer Regulation, 
          Complainant, 
     v. 
Jonathan A. Olson, 
          Respondent. 
 
 
 
 
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST OLSON 
 
 
OPINION FILED: 
March 9, 2007   
SUBMITTED ON BRIEFS: 
        
ORAL ARGUMENT: 
        
 
 
SOURCE OF APPEAL: 
 
 
COURT: 
        
 
COUNTY: 
        
 
JUDGE: 
        
 
 
 
JUSTICES: 
 
 
CONCURRED: 
        
 
DISSENTED: 
        
 
NOT PARTICIPATING:         
 
 
 
ATTORNEYS: 
 
      
 
 
2007 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.  1997AP3544-D  
 
 
STATE OF WISCONSIN  
 
 
   : 
IN SUPREME COURT 
 
 
In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings 
Against Jonathan A. Olson, Attorney at Law: 
 
Board of Attorneys Professional Responsibility, 
n/k/a Office of Lawyer Regulation, 
 
          Complainant, 
 
     v. 
 
Jonathan A. Olson, 
 
          Respondent. 
 
FILED 
 
MAR 9, 2007 
 
A. John Voelker 
Acting Clerk of Supreme 
Court 
 
 
 
 
 
ATTORNEY reinstatement proceeding.   Reinstatement granted 
upon conditions.   
 
¶1 
PER 
CURIAM.   We 
review 
a 
referee's 
report 
recommending that Jonathan A. Olson's license to practice law in 
Wisconsin be reinstated upon conditions. 
¶2 
We 
adopt 
the 
referee's 
findings 
of 
fact 
and 
conclusions of law and conclude that Attorney Olson's license to 
practice 
law 
should 
be 
reinstated 
upon 
the 
conditions 
recommended by the referee.  We further direct Attorney Olson to 
No. 
1997AP3544-D   
 
2 
 
pay the costs of the reinstatement proceeding, which are 
$5886.27, as of January 11, 2007.   
¶3 
Attorney Olson was licensed to practice law in 
Wisconsin in 1985 and practiced in Kaukauna.  His license was 
administratively suspended in 1997 for failure to pay bar dues.  
His license was suspended for a period of one year commencing 
April 27, 1998, as a result of a criminal conviction for one 
count of theft, a Class C felony.  See In re Disciplinary 
Proceedings Against Olson, 216 Wis. 2d 483, 574 N.W.2d 245 
(1998).  While acting as a business manager for the small firm 
in which he was a partner, Attorney Olson wrote checks to 
himself that were not disclosed to other partners and hid his 
receipt of the funds from his partners. 
¶4 
Attorney Olson entered a no contest plea to the felony 
charge and was sentenced to serve six months in jail, ten years 
probation, and perform 200 hours of community service.  In 
addition, he was ordered to pay restitution of $16,449.62, was 
ordered to continue with mental health and budget counseling, 
and was required to write a letter of apology to his former law 
partners and their spouses.  When confronted about the theft, 
Attorney Olson gave a straightforward statement to the police 
and also cooperated with the Board of Attorneys Professional 
Responsibility (BAPR), the predecessor to the Office of Lawyer 
Regulation (OLR).  This court conditioned reinstatement of 
Attorney Olson's license on his paying restitution to the law 
firm or providing an explanation for his failure or inability to 
do so.   
No. 
1997AP3544-D   
 
3 
 
¶5 
On September 26, 2005, Attorney Olson filed a petition 
for reinstatement of his license.  Gene Radcliffe was appointed 
referee.  A hearing was held before the referee on March 24, 
2006.  On December 22, 2006, the referee filed a report and 
recommendation recommending that Attorney Olson's reinstatement 
petition be granted.   
¶6 
The referee noted that no one testified in opposition 
to Attorney Olson's reinstatement petition and several witnesses 
testified in support of the petition.  The referee noted that 
Attorney Olson has not practiced law or held himself out as an 
attorney since his license was suspended; he has maintained 
competence and learning in the law and has completed all 
continuing legal education (CLE) requirements; and his conduct 
since the suspension has been exemplary and above reproach.  The 
referee noted that Attorney Olson has held several positions of 
responsibility and is currently the relations manager for Van 
Dyn Hoven Automotive in Kaukauna and Appleton, Wisconsin, where 
he is primarily responsible for the human relations function and 
payroll preparation.  The referee also noted that Attorney Olson 
took immediate steps to eliminate the circumstances that led to 
his suspension, including counseling, re-establishing a support 
network, 
and 
ultimately 
changing 
his 
family 
and 
living 
situation.   
¶7 
The referee noted that it has been a significant 
period of time since Attorney Olson's suspension, with no repeat 
of the actions that led to the suspension.  The referee offered 
the opinion that resuming the practice of law should not trigger 
No. 
1997AP3544-D   
 
4 
 
a recurrence of Attorney Olson's lapse in judgment.  The referee 
also noted that if Attorney Olson's license is reinstated he 
proposes to expand the scope of his duties with Van Dyn Hoven 
Automotive to include the role of corporate counsel.   
¶8 
The referee commented that Attorney Olson's financial 
position was not good prior to his suspension and his financial 
position has improved but not enough to allow him to make full 
restitution.  The referee noted that Attorney Olson has made and 
continues to make regular bi-weekly payments and has paid down 
the original restitution amount to less that $5300.  The referee 
noted that reinstating Attorney Olson's license will increase 
his earning potential, which would help pay the balance of 
restitution and other debts more quickly.   
¶9 
The referee noted that by memo dated September 21, 
2006, the Board of Bar Examiners (BBE) indicated that Attorney 
Olson had complied with all CLE requirements and the BBE 
recommended reinstatement of Attorney Olson's law license.   
¶10 The 
referee 
found 
that 
clear, 
satisfactory 
and 
convincing evidence supported Attorney Olson's petition for 
reinstatement, and he recommended that Attorney Olson's license 
to practice law be reinstated upon the following conditions:  
(1) Attorney Olson must continue to make monthly payments toward 
restitution in the amount of at least $150 per month until the 
restitution is paid in full.  If for any reason he is unable to 
make that monthly payment, he must report the reasons to the OLR 
and report a plan to compensate for the missed payment; (2) 
Attorney Olson should be prohibited from handling funds or 
No. 
1997AP3544-D   
 
5 
 
having check writing authority for any law-related business 
other than one for which he is the sole lawyer-owner; (3) in the 
event Attorney Olson does legal work as a sole proprietor or as 
a business entity of which he is the sole or principal lawyer-
owner, he shall not accept legal fees, including a flat fee, 
unless the work has already been fully performed or, in the 
alternative, unless the fee payment is deposited into his client 
trust account from which he cannot withdraw the funds until the 
work has been performed, the client has been billed, and the 
client has either approved the amount of payment or has not 
objected to payment for a period of ten days after the billing 
invoice; (4) for a period of two years from the date of 
reinstatement, or until such time as restitution is paid in 
full, whichever date is later, Attorney Olson must provide 
quarterly affidavits to the OLR attesting to his compliance with 
the above conditions; (5) if Attorney Olson performs legal work 
as a sole proprietor or as a business entity of which he is the 
sole or principal lawyer-owner, he shall submit to the OLR 
quarterly records for his client trust account that are in 
compliance with SCR 20:1.15(f)1 or the currently applicable rule, 
for the OLR's inspection and audit for a period of two years 
from the date the account is first opened.  The referee also 
recommended that Attorney Olson be required to pay the costs of 
the reinstatement proceeding. 
                                                 
1 SCR 
20:1.15(f) 
provides 
the 
recordkeeping 
requirements for client trust accounts. 
No. 
1997AP3544-D   
 
6 
 
¶11 The standard to be met for reinstatement of a law 
license is provided in SCR 22.31(1).2  The petitioner has the 
burden of demonstrating "by clear, satisfactory and convincing 
evidence" that the lawyer has the moral character to practice 
law, that the lawyer's resumption of the practice of law will 
not 
be 
detrimental 
to 
the 
administration 
of 
justice 
or 
subversive of the public interest, and that the lawyer has 
complied with SCR 22.26 and the terms of the suspension.  In 
addition, SCR 22.29(4) sets forth related requirements that a 
petition for reinstatement must show.3  All of these additional 
requirements are effectively incorporated into SCR 22.31(1).   
                                                 
2 SCR 22.31(1) provides: Reinstatement hearing. 
 
(1)  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. 
 
 
(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 
(m) 
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. 
3 SCR 22.29(4) provides:  Petition for reinstatement. 
 
(4) The petition for reinstatement shall show all 
of the following: 
No. 
1997AP3544-D   
 
7 
 
¶12 After careful review of the record we agree with the 
referee 
that 
Attorney 
Olson 
has 
established 
by 
clear, 
satisfactory and convincing evidence that he has satisfied all 
                                                                                                                                                             
 
 
(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. 
 
 
(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. 
No. 
1997AP3544-D   
 
8 
 
of the criteria necessary for reinstatement.  Accordingly, we 
adopt the referee's findings of fact and conclusions of law and 
we accept the referee's recommendation to reinstate Attorney 
Olson's license to practice law in Wisconsin, subject to the 
conditions recommended by the referee.  We further direct 
Attorney Olson to pay the costs of the reinstatement proceeding. 
¶13 IT IS ORDERED that the petition for reinstatement of 
the license of Attorney Jonathan A. Olson to practice law in 
Wisconsin is granted, effective the date of this order. 
¶14 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the reinstatement of 
Attorney Olson's license to practice law be subject to the 
following conditions: (1) Attorney Olson must continue to make 
monthly payments toward restitution in the amount of at least 
$150 per month until the restitution is paid in full.  If for 
any reason he is unable to make that monthly payment, he must 
report the reasons to the OLR and report a plan to compensate 
for the missed payment; (2) Attorney Olson should be prohibited 
from handling funds or having check writing authority for any 
law related business other than one for which he is the sole 
lawyer-owner; (3) in the event Attorney Olson does legal work as 
a sole proprietor or as a business entity of which he is the 
sole or principal lawyer-owner, he shall not accept legal fees, 
including a flat fee, unless the work has already been fully 
performed or, in the alternative, unless the fee payment is 
deposited into his client trust account from which he cannot 
withdraw the funds until the work has been performed, the client 
has been billed, and the client has either approved the amount 
No. 
1997AP3544-D   
 
9 
 
of payment or has not objected to payment for a period of ten 
days after the billing invoice; (4) for a period of two years 
from 
the 
date of 
reinstatement, or until such time as 
restitution is paid in full, whichever date is later, Attorney 
Olson must provide quarterly affidavits to the OLR attesting to 
his compliance with the above conditions; (5) if Attorney Olson 
performs legal work as a sole proprietor or as a business entity 
of which he is the sole or principal lawyer-owner, he shall 
submit to the OLR quarterly records for his client trust account 
that are in compliance with SCR 20:1.15(f) or the currently 
applicable rule, for the OLR's inspection and audit for a period 
of two years from the date the account is first opened. 
¶15 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Attorney Olson pay the 
costs of the reinstatement proceeding.   
¶16 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Attorney Olson shall pay 
the balance of the restitution owed before paying the costs of 
the reinstatement proceeding.  Once restitution has been paid in 
full, Attorney Olson shall pay a minimum of $150 per month 
toward the costs of the reinstatement proceeding.  If Attorney 
Olson fails to make the monthly payments required by this order, 
and absent a showing to this court of his inability to pay, the 
license of Attorney Jonathan A. Olson to practice law in 
Wisconsin shall be suspended until further order of the court. 
 
 
No. 
1997AP3544-D   
 
 
 
1