Title: OLR v. David P. F. Templeton

State: wisconsin

Issuer: Wisconsin Supreme Court

Document:

2019 WI 29 
 
SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN 
 
 
 
 
 
CASE NO.: 
2018AP2457-D 
COMPLETE TITLE: 
In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings 
Against  
David P. F. Templeton, Attorney at Law: 
 
Office of Lawyer Regulation, 
          Complainant, 
     v. 
David P. F. Templeton, 
          Respondent. 
 
 
 
 
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST TEMPLETON 
 
 
OPINION FILED: 
March 21, 2019 
SUBMITTED ON BRIEFS: 
      
ORAL ARGUMENT: 
      
 
 
SOURCE OF APPEAL: 
 
 
COURT: 
      
 
COUNTY: 
      
 
JUDGE: 
      
 
 
 
JUSTICES: 
 
 
CONCURRED: 
      
 
DISSENTED: 
      
 
NOT PARTICIPATING:          
 
 
 
ATTORNEYS: 
 
 
      
 
 
2019 WI 29
NOTICE 
This opinion is subject to further 
editing and modification.  The final 
version will appear in the bound 
volume of the official reports.   
No.   2018AP2457-D 
 
 
STATE OF WISCONSIN  
 
 
   : 
IN SUPREME COURT 
 
 
In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings 
Against David P. F. Templeton, Attorney at Law: 
 
Office of Lawyer Regulation, 
 
          Complainant, 
 
     v. 
 
David P. F. Templeton, 
 
          Respondent. 
FILED 
 
MAR 21, 2019 
 
Sheila T. Reiff 
Clerk of Supreme Court 
 
 
 
 
ATTORNEY 
disciplinary 
proceeding.   Attorney's 
license 
suspended.   
 
¶1 
PER CURIAM.   We review a stipulation filed pursuant 
to Supreme Court Rule (SCR) 22.12 by the Office of Lawyer 
Regulation (OLR) and Attorney David P. F. Templeton.  In the 
stipulation, 
Attorney 
Templeton 
admits 
that 
he 
committed 
professional misconduct, and he agrees with the OLR's request 
that his license to practice law be suspended for a period of 
six months.  He further agrees that the court should impose 
various conditions upon the reinstatement of his license to 
practice law. 
No. 
2018AP2457-D   
 
2 
 
¶2 
After careful review of the matter, we accept the 
stipulation and impose the requested discipline.  Because 
Attorney Templeton entered into a comprehensive stipulation 
prior to the appointment of a referee, we do not require him to 
pay the costs of this proceeding. 
¶3 
Attorney Templeton was admitted to practice law in 
Wisconsin in 2004 and practiced in Menasha.  He has no prior 
disciplinary history.   Effective May 31, 2017, his license to 
practice law was suspended for failure to comply with continuing 
legal education reporting requirements.  Effective October 31, 
2017, his license to practice law was suspended for failure to 
pay 
state 
bar 
dues 
and 
provide 
the 
OLR 
trust 
account 
certification.  Attorney Templeton's license remains suspended. 
¶4 
On December 27, 2018, the OLR filed a complaint 
alleging that Attorney Templeton had engaged in three counts of 
professional misconduct.  The complaint sought a six-month 
suspension of his license to practice law in Wisconsin.  
Attorney Templeton filed a handwritten answer on January 7, 
2019, 
stating 
that 
he 
accepts 
the 
OLR's 
findings 
and 
recommendations and that he takes full responsibility for his 
misconduct. 
¶5 
On January 18, 2019, the OLR and Attorney Templeton 
filed a stipulation pursuant to SCR 22.12.  The following facts 
are taken from the stipulation. 
¶6 
On June 22, 2017, Village of Fox Crossing Police 
Department Investigator Jeremiah Gustafson provided information 
to the OLR about Attorney Templeton, advising that Attorney 
No. 
2018AP2457-D   
 
3 
 
Templeton was under investigation for suspected drug-related 
conduct. 
 
Investigator 
Gustafson 
was 
working 
with 
an 
investigator from the Lake Winnebago Metropolitan Enforcement 
Group (MEG) and a confidential informant (CI).  MEG is a multi-
jurisdictional law enforcement task force concentrating on 
illegal drugs that uses CIs to gather evidence.  The CI and 
Attorney Templeton had discussed the possibility of the CI 
performing clerical work for Attorney Templeton in exchange for 
drugs. 
¶7 
On August 2, 2017, Investigator Gustafson, the MEG 
investigator, and the CI met in advance of a pre-arranged 
controlled buy of illegal drugs from Attorney Templeton set for 
later that day.  The CI wore a wireless body transmitter while 
the investigators observed the drug transaction between Attorney 
Templeton 
and 
the 
CI. 
 
Attorney 
Templeton 
delivered 
approximately .2 grams of heroin to the CI with the assurance, 
"Don't worry, I'll get more."  Following the drug transaction, 
Attorney Templeton was arrested and later released. 
¶8 
On August 11, 2017, Attorney Templeton was charged in 
Winnebago County with one count of manufacturing/delivery of 
heroin in violation of Wis. Stat. § 961.41(1)(d)1, a Class F 
felony.  Conditions of his bail/bond included absolute sobriety 
and no commission of any criminal act. 
¶9 
On August 14, 2017, Attorney Templeton tested positive 
for methamphetamine, in violation of his bail/bond.  On August 
17, 2017, he caused a disturbance at a Menasha apartment while 
intoxicated, two additional violations of his bail/bond.   
No. 
2018AP2457-D   
 
4 
 
¶10 On August 18, 2017, as a result of his conduct the 
previous day, Attorney Templeton was charged in Winnebago County 
with two counts of felony bail jumping pursuant to Wis. Stat. 
§ 946.49(1)(b), and one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct 
pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 947.01.  
¶11 On March 6, 2018, Attorney Templeton pleaded guilty to 
the felony count of manufacturing/delivery of heroin and one 
count of felony bail jumping.  The other felony bail jumping and 
the disorderly conduct counts were read in and dismissed.  On 
May 18, 2018, Attorney Templeton received an imposed but stayed 
sentence consisting of two years of initial confinement and 
three years of extended supervision, as well as an imposed five-
year probation sentence with credit for time served.  (Attorney 
Templeton was incarcerated between August 18, 2017 and May 18, 
2018.) 
¶12 Attorney Templeton's license to practice law in 
Wisconsin has been continuously suspended since May 31, 2017.  
On June 5, 2017, he appeared in Winnebago County Circuit Court 
on behalf of a client.  Attorney Templeton failed to inform his 
client, opposing counsel, or the court that his license to 
practice law had been suspended.  A representative of the Town 
of Grand Chute Police Department notified the OLR that on June 
28 and 29, 2017, Attorney Templeton stated to the police 
department he had been retained by and represented a client 
under criminal investigation. 
¶13 The OLR's complaint alleged the following counts of 
misconduct: 
No. 
2018AP2457-D   
 
5 
 
• Count One:  By engaging in conduct leading to criminal 
felony convictions for the manufacture/delivery of 
heroin and for bailing jumping, Attorney Templeton 
violated SCR 20:8.4(b).1 
 
• Count Two:  By failing to notify his client, opposing 
counsel, and the court of his license suspension, 
Attorney Templeton violated SCR 22.26(1)(a), (b) and 
(c),2 enforceable via SCR 20:8.4(f).3 
                                                 
1 SCR 20:8.4(b) provides:  "It is professional misconduct 
for a lawyer to commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on 
the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in 
other respects." 
2 SCR 22.26(1) provides on or before the effective date 
of license suspension or revocation, an attorney whose 
license is suspended or revoked shall do all of the 
following: 
(a) Notify by certified mail all clients being 
represented in pending matters of the suspension or 
revocation and of the attorney's consequent inability 
to act as an attorney following the effective date of 
the suspension or revocation. 
(b) Advise the clients to seek legal advice of 
their choice elsewhere. 
(c) Promptly provide written notification to the 
court or administrative agency and the attorney for 
each party in a matter pending before a court or 
administrative agency of the suspension or revocation 
and of the attorney's consequent inability to act as 
an attorney following the effective date of the 
suspension or revocation.  The notice shall identify 
the successor attorney of the attorney's client or, 
if there is none at the time notice is given, shall 
state the client's place of residence. 
3 SCR 20:8.4(f) provides:  "It is professional misconduct 
for a lawyer to violate a statute, supreme court rule, supreme 
court order or supreme court decision regulating the conduct of 
lawyers." 
No. 
2018AP2457-D   
 
6 
 
• Count Three:  By practicing law after May 31, 2017, 
while his license was suspended, Attorney Templeton 
violated SCR 22.26(2),4 and SCR 31.10(1),5 enforceable 
via SCR 20:8.4(f). 
¶14 Attorney Templeton states that the terms of the 
stipulation were not bargained for or negotiated between the 
                                                 
4 SCR 22.26(2) provides: 
An attorney whose license to practice law is 
suspended or revoked or who is suspended from the 
practice of law may not engage in this state in the 
practice 
of 
law 
or 
in 
any 
law 
work 
activity 
customarily done by law students, law clerks, or other 
paralegal personnel, except that the attorney may 
engage in law related work in this state for a 
commercial employer itself not engaged in the practice 
of law. 
5 SCR 31.10(1) provides: 
If a lawyer fails to comply with the attendance 
requirement of SCR 31.02, fails to comply with the 
reporting requirement of SCR 31.03(1), or fails to pay 
the late fee under SCR 31.03(2), the board shall serve 
a notice of noncompliance on the lawyer.  This notice 
shall advise the lawyer that the lawyer’s state bar 
membership 
shall 
be 
automatically 
suspended 
for 
failing to file evidence of compliance or to pay the 
late fee within 60 days after service of the notice. 
The board shall certify the names of all lawyers so 
suspended under this rule to the clerk of the supreme 
court, all supreme court justices, all court of 
appeals and circuit court judges, all circuit court 
commissioners appointed under SCR 75.02(1) in this 
state, all circuit court clerks, all juvenile court 
clerks, all registers in probate, the executive 
director of the state bar of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin 
State Public Defender’s Office, and the clerks of the 
federal district courts in Wisconsin.  A lawyer shall 
not engage in the practice of law in Wisconsin while 
his or her state bar membership is suspended under 
this rule. 
No. 
2018AP2457-D   
 
7 
 
parties.  He avers that he admits the facts and misconduct 
alleged by the OLR and agrees to the discipline sought by the 
OLR director.  He represents that he fully understands the 
misconduct allegations, the ramifications should the court 
impose the stipulated level of discipline, his right to contest 
the matter, and his right to consult with and retain counsel.  
He states that his entry into the stipulation is made knowingly 
and voluntarily. 
¶15 In 
the 
stipulation, 
the 
parties 
agree 
that 
an 
appropriate level of discipline to impose in response to 
Attorney Templeton's misconduct is a suspension of his license 
to practice law in Wisconsin for a period of six months.  The 
parties further agree that the court impose the following 
conditions on the reinstatement on Attorney Templeton's law 
license: 
• Prior to filing a petition for reinstatement, 
Attorney Templeton will provide the OLR with 
signed 
medical 
releases 
for 
each 
treatment 
provider 
who 
is 
providing 
or 
has 
provided 
treatment, assessment, or services related to 
substance abuse to Attorney Templeton within the 
three previous years; 
• Prior to filing a petition for reinstatement, 
Attorney Templeton will undergo a substance abuse 
assessment 
that 
makes 
specific 
written 
recommendations, and demonstrate compliance with 
the recommendations; and 
• As 
a 
condition 
of 
reinstatement, 
Attorney 
Templeton will submit to monitoring as directed 
by the OLR and must comply with all monitoring 
requirements for a period of two years following 
reinstatement. 
No. 
2018AP2457-D   
 
8 
 
¶16 In its memorandum in support of the stipulation, the 
OLR says that Attorney Templeton's misconduct was serious and 
merits a sanction that will require him to demonstrate his 
fitness before practicing law again in Wisconsin.  The OLR notes 
that there a number mitigating factors present in this case:  
Attorney Templeton has no disciplinary history; he is remorseful 
for 
his 
misconduct; 
he 
fully 
cooperated 
in 
the 
OLR's 
investigation and stipulated to the misconduct, and he continues 
to participate in weekly counseling. 
¶17 After careful review of the matter, we accept the 
stipulation and determine that Attorney Templeton engaged in the 
three counts of misconduct alleged in the OLR's complaint.  We 
further conclude that a six-month suspension of his license to 
practice law is an appropriate level of discipline.  Although no 
two disciplinary proceedings are precisely alike, we find that 
the misconduct at issue here is somewhat similar to that 
presented in In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Schwitzer, 
2017 
WI 
53, 
375 
Wis. 2d 414, 
895 
N.W.2d 416. 
 
Attorney 
Schwitzer's license was suspended for six months following his 
criminal convictions for possession of THC and cocaine, as well 
as 
holding 
himself 
out 
as 
an 
attorney 
following 
an 
administrative suspension.  As in Schwitzer, we find a six-month 
suspension which will require Attorney Templeton to go through a 
formal reinstatement proceeding, to be an appropriate level of 
discipline.  We also find it appropriate to impose the 
conditions enumerated in the stipulation upon the reinstatement 
of Attorney Templeton's license to practice law.  Since this 
No. 
2018AP2457-D   
 
9 
 
matter was brought to the court in the context of an SCR 22.12 
stipulation without the need to appoint a referee, we impose no 
costs upon Attorney Templeton. 
¶18 IT IS ORDERED that the license of David P. F. 
Templeton to practice law in Wisconsin is suspended for a period 
of six months, effective the date of this order. 
¶19 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, to the extent he has not 
already done so, David P. F. Templeton shall comply with the 
provisions of SCR 22.26 regarding the duties of a person whose 
license to practice law in Wisconsin has been suspended.  
¶20 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the following conditions 
are imposed upon the reinstatement of David P. F. Templeton's 
license to practice law in Wisconsin: 
• Prior to filing a petition for reinstatement, 
Attorney Templeton will provide the OLR with 
signed 
medical 
releases 
for 
each 
treatment 
provider 
who 
is 
providing 
or 
has 
provided 
treatment, assessment, or services related to 
substance abuse to Attorney Templeton within the 
three previous years; 
• Prior to filing a petition for reinstatement, 
Attorney Templeton will undergo a substance abuse 
assessment 
that 
makes 
specific 
written 
recommendations, and demonstrate compliance with 
the recommendations; and 
• As 
a 
condition 
of 
reinstatement, 
Attorney 
Templeton will submit to monitoring as directed 
by the OLR and must comply with all monitoring 
requirements for a period of two years following 
reinstatement. 
No. 
2018AP2457-D   
 
10 
 
¶21 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that compliance with all 
conditions of this order is required for reinstatement.  See 
SCR 22.29(4)(c). 
¶22 IT 
IS 
FURTHER 
ORDERED 
that 
the 
administrative 
suspension of David P. F. Templeton's license to practice law in 
Wisconsin, due to his failure to pay mandatory bar dues, provide 
the OLR trust account certification, and failure to comply with 
continuing legal education reporting requirements, will remain 
in effective until each reason for the administrative suspension 
has been rectified, pursuant to SCR 22.28(1). 
 
No. 
2018AP2457-D   
 
 
 
1