Title: Office of Lawyer Regulation v. Edward James FitzGerald
Citation: 2007 WI 111
Docket Number: 2006AP002781-D
State: Wisconsin
Issuer: Wisconsin Supreme Court
Date: July 27, 2007

1 
2007 WI 111 
 
SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN 
 
 
 
CASE NO.: 
2006AP2781-D 
 
 
COMPLETE TITLE: 
 
 
In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings 
Against Edward James FitzGerald, Attorney at 
Law: 
 
Office of Lawyer Regulation, 
          Complainant, 
     v. 
Edward James FitzGerald, 
          Respondent. 
 
 
 
 
 
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST FITZGERALD 
 
 
OPINION FILED: 
July 27, 2007   
SUBMITTED ON BRIEFS: 
        
ORAL ARGUMENT: 
        
 
 
SOURCE OF APPEAL: 
 
 
COURT: 
        
 
COUNTY: 
        
 
JUDGE: 
        
 
 
 
JUSTICES: 
 
 
CONCURRED: 
        
 
DISSENTED: 
        
 
NOT PARTICIPATING:         
 
 
 
ATTORNEYS: 
 
      
 
 
2007 WI 111
NOTICE 
This opinion is subject to further 
editing and modification.  The final 
version will appear in the bound 
volume of the official reports.   
No.  2006AP2781-D  
 
 
STATE OF WISCONSIN  
 
 
   : 
IN SUPREME COURT 
 
 
In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings 
Against Edward James FitzGerald, Attorney at 
Law: 
 
Office of Lawyer Regulation, 
 
          Complainant, 
 
     v. 
 
Edward James FitzGerald, 
 
          Respondent. 
 
FILED 
 
JUL 27, 2007 
 
David R. Schanker 
Clerk of Supreme Court 
 
 
 
 
 
ATTORNEY 
disciplinary 
proceeding.  Attorney's 
license 
suspended.   
 
¶1 
PER CURIAM.   We review the report and recommendation 
of the referee1 following the entry of a stipulation by the 
Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) and Attorney Edward James 
FitzGerald.  As requested by the stipulation, the referee 
recommended that Attorney FitzGerald's license to practice law 
                                                 
1 Attorney Amy Gentz was appointed to serve as the referee 
in this matter. 
No. 
2006AP2781-D   
 
2 
 
in Wisconsin be suspended for 90 days.  The referee also 
recommended that the court impose the full costs of this 
disciplinary proceeding against Attorney FitzGerald.   
¶2 
Neither party has appealed from the referee's report.  
Consequently, the matter is submitted to this court for its 
review pursuant to SCR 22.17(2).2  After our independent review 
of the matter, we agree with and adopt the referee's findings of 
fact and conclusions of law.  We also agree that Attorney 
FitzGerald's professional misconduct requires that his license 
to practice law in Wisconsin be suspended for a period of 90 
days and that he pay the full costs of this disciplinary 
proceeding, which were $537.30 as of April 5, 2007. 
¶3 
On November 8, 2006, the OLR filed a four-count 
complaint against Attorney FitzGerald.  On December 29, 2006, 
Attorney FitzGerald filed an answer that admitted the factual 
and legal allegations in the OLR's complaint.  Consequently, on 
March 2, 2007, the parties filed a stipulation pursuant to SCR 
22.123 that incorporated the factual allegations of the complaint 
                                                 
2 SCR 22.17(2) provides:  Review; appeal. 
 
(2) If no appeal is filed timely, the supreme 
court shall review the referee's report; adopt, reject 
or modify the referee's findings and conclusions or 
remand the matter to the referee for additional 
findings; 
and 
determine 
and 
impose 
appropriate 
discipline.  The court, on its own motion, may order 
the parties to file briefs in the matter. 
3 SCR 22.12 provides in relevant part:  Stipulation. 
 
(1) The director may file with the complaint a 
stipulation of the director and the respondent to the 
facts, conclusions of law regarding misconduct, and 
No. 
2006AP2781-D   
 
3 
 
and contained a joint request for a 90-day suspension.  In the 
stipulation, Attorney FitzGerald represented that he understood 
the misconduct allegations against him, that he understood the 
ramifications of the requested discipline, that he understood 
his rights to contest the allegations in the OLR's complaint and 
to consult with counsel, that he was entering into the 
stipulation knowingly and voluntarily, and finally that he was 
admitting the professional misconduct as alleged in the OLR's 
complaint. 
¶4 
As noted in the stipulation, Attorney FitzGerald was 
admitted to the practice of law in Wisconsin in June 1982.  He 
has never before been the subject of discipline for professional 
misconduct.  During the time period of the actions described 
below, Attorney FitzGerald served as an assistant district 
attorney for Vilas County. 
¶5 
In Wisconsin, membership in the class of "active 
members" of the State Bar of Wisconsin is a condition precedent 
to the practice of law.  SCR 10.01;4 SCR 10.03(4).5  Moreover, 
                                                                                                                                                             
discipline to be imposed.  The supreme court may 
consider the complaint and stipulation without the 
appointment of a referee. 
 
(2) If the supreme court approves a stipulation, 
it shall adopt the stipulated facts and conclusions of 
law and impose the stipulated discipline. 
4 SCR 10.01 provides:  State bar of Wisconsin. 
 
(1) There shall be an association to be known as 
the "state bar of Wisconsin" composed of persons 
licensed to practice law in this state, and membership 
in the association shall be a condition precedent to 
the right to practice law in Wisconsin. 
No. 
2006AP2781-D   
 
4 
 
the payment of annual bar dues and assessments is a requirement 
of membership in the state bar.  The failure to pay annual bar 
dues and assessments may result in the suspension of the 
attorney's license to practice law in this state.  SCR 10.03(6).6 
                                                                                                                                                             
 
(2) The supreme court by appropriate orders shall 
provide for the organization and government of the 
association and shall define the rights, obligations 
and conditions of membership therein, to the end that 
the association shall promote the public interest by 
maintaining high standards of conduct in the legal 
profession 
and 
by 
aiding 
in 
the 
efficient 
administration of justice. 
5 SCR 10.03(4) provides:  Membership. 
 
(4) Only active members may practice law.  No 
individual other than an enrolled active member of the 
state bar may practice law in this state or in any 
manner purport to be authorized or qualified to 
practice law.  A judge in this state may allow a 
nonresident counsel to appear in his or her court and 
participate in a particular action or proceeding in 
association with an active member of the state bar of 
Wisconsin who appears and participates in the action 
or proceeding.  Permission to the nonresident lawyer 
may be withdrawn by the judge granting it if the 
lawyer by his or her conduct manifests incompetency to 
represent a client in a Wisconsin court or by his or 
her 
unwillingness 
to 
abide 
by 
the 
rules 
of 
professional conduct for attorneys and the rules of 
decorum of the court. 
6 SCR 10.03(6) provides: 
 
(6) Penalty for nonpayment of dues.  If the 
annual dues or assessments of any member remain unpaid 
120 days after the payment is due, the membership of 
the member may be suspended in the manner provided in 
the bylaws; and no person whose membership is so 
suspended for nonpayment of dues or assessments may 
practice law during the period of the suspension. 
No. 
2006AP2781-D   
 
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¶6 
Attorney FitzGerald failed to pay his annual state bar 
dues and assessments that were due on July 1, 2003.  The state 
bar subsequently sent a certified letter to Attorney FitzGerald 
warning him of the impending suspension of his license to 
practice law in Wisconsin due to the nonpayment of annual bar 
dues.  The letter was received at Attorney FitzGerald's last 
known mailing address in Manitowoc on September 30, 2003.  When 
Attorney FitzGerald still did not pay his state bar dues and 
assessments, his license was administratively suspended on 
October 31, 2003.  The state bar then sent Attorney FitzGerald 
another letter advising him that his license had been suspended.  
Attorney FitzGerald received this notification on November 8, 
2003, and signed the certified mail receipt. 
¶7 
Although his license had been suspended, Attorney 
FitzGerald never notified the Vilas County District Attorney, 
the Vilas County Circuit Court, in which he had pending cases, 
or opposing counsel.  Attorney FitzGerald continued to practice 
law 
without a valid license until June 2005.  Between 
November 8, 2003, and June 6, 2005, Attorney FitzGerald appeared 
as the prosecutor of record in approximately 85 felony cases, 
200 misdemeanor cases, 121 criminal traffic cases, and 180 civil 
forfeiture cases. 
¶8 
In addition, Attorney FitzGerald failed to report his 
continuing legal education (CLE) attendance at the end of his 
two-year 
reporting 
period 
in 
December 
2004 
to 
establish 
No. 
2006AP2781-D   
 
6 
 
compliance with SCR 31.027 and SCR 31.03.8  On March 23, 2005, 
the Board of Bar Examiners (BBE) sent a letter to Attorney 
FitzGerald warning him that he had to comply with his mandatory 
CLE reporting requirements or face suspension of his license for 
CLE noncompliance.  On April 7, 2005, the BBE sent another 
letter 
via 
certified 
mail, 
which 
again 
warned 
Attorney 
FitzGerald that his license would be automatically suspended on 
June 
6, 
2005, 
unless 
he 
fully 
complied 
with 
his 
CLE 
requirements.  Attorney FitzGerald did not comply. 
¶9 
On June 7, 2005, the BBE sent Attorney FitzGerald a 
notice of suspension, advising him that his license had been 
suspended 
for 
failure 
to 
comply 
with 
his 
mandatory 
CLE 
obligations.  This notice was received at Attorney FitzGerald's 
Manitowoc address on June 8, 2005. 
                                                 
7 SCR 31.02 provides in relative part that "[a] lawyer shall 
attend a minimum of 30 hours of approved continuing legal 
education during each reporting period" and "attend a minimum of 
3 of the 30 hours . . . on the subject of legal ethics and 
professional responsibility." 
8 SCR 31.03 provides:  Reporting requirement. 
 
(1) A written report under oath or affirmation 
designated CLE Form 1 shall be filed with the board by 
a lawyer on or before the last day of the reporting 
period.  The written report shall establish compliance 
with the attendance requirement of SCR 31.02. 
 
(2) A lawyer who has not satisfied SCR 31.02 and 
completed the reporting requirement under sub. (1) by 
the close of business on the February 1 following the 
last day of the reporting period shall be assessed a 
late fee of $50. 
No. 
2006AP2781-D   
 
7 
 
¶10 Attorney FitzGerald's license remained suspended until 
June 10, 2005, due to his CLE noncompliance.  Between June 6, 
2005, and June 10, 2005, Attorney FitzGerald continued to act as 
a prosecutor for the Vilas County District Attorney's Office, 
including appearing as the prosecutor of record in a bail 
hearing. 
¶11 Attorney FitzGerald stipulated and the referee found 
that 
Attorney 
FitzGerald 
had 
committed 
four 
counts 
of 
professional misconduct because of his actions described above.  
First, by continuing to engage in the practice of law between 
October 31, 2003, and June 6, 2005, when he knew or should have 
known that his license had been suspended for nonpayment of 
annual bar dues, Attorney FitzGerald violated SCR 10.03(6), 
which also constituted a violation of SCR 20:8.4(f).9  By failing 
to notify his employer of his suspension for nonpayment of 
annual bar dues, Attorney FitzGerald violated SCR 22.26(1)(a),10 
                                                 
9 SCR 20:8.4(f) states that 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." 
10 SCR 22.26(1)(a) states:  Activities following suspension 
or revocation. 
 
(1) 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. 
No. 
2006AP2781-D   
 
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thereby also violating SCR 20:8.4(f).  Third, by failing to 
provide written notification of his suspension and inability to 
act as an attorney to the Vilas County Circuit Court and to 
opposing counsel, Attorney FitzGerald violated SCR 22.26(1)(c),11 
actionable pursuant to SCR 20:8.4(f).  Finally, by continuing to 
engage in the practice of law between June 6, 2005, and June 10, 
2005, when his license was suspended for CLE noncompliance, 
Attorney 
FitzGerald 
violated 
SCR 
31.10(1),12 
thereby 
also 
violating SCR 20:8.4(f). 
                                                 
11 SCR 22.26(1)(c) states: 
 
(1) On or before the effective date of license 
suspension or revocation, an attorney whose license is suspended 
or revoked shall do all the following: 
 
(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. 
12 SCR 31.10(1) provides: Noncompliance. 
 
(1) 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 
state 
bar 
membership 
of 
the 
lawyer 
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 and to each judge of 
a court of record in this state.  A lawyer shall not 
No. 
2006AP2781-D   
 
9 
 
¶12 As noted above, on the basis of this professional 
misconduct, the parties stipulated to a 90-day suspension of 
Attorney FitzGerald’s license.  The referee adopted that 
stipulation as her recommendation to the court. 
¶13 After our independent review of the record, we 
conclude that the referee's findings of fact and conclusions of 
law are supported by the record in this matter and the Supreme 
Court Rules of Professional Conduct, and we adopt them.  We 
determine that the requested discipline of a 90-day suspension 
of Attorney FitzGerald's license to practice law in this state 
is an appropriate level of discipline.  Finally, we note that 
Attorney FitzGerald has not objected to the statement of costs 
filed by the OLR.  We therefore assess the full amount of costs 
against Attorney FitzGerald. 
¶14 IT IS ORDERED that the license of Edward James 
FitzGerald to practice law in Wisconsin is suspended for a 
period of 90 days, effective August 31, 2007. 
¶15 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Attorney FitzGerald comply 
with the provisions of SCR 22.26 concerning the duties of a 
person whose license to practice law in Wisconsin has been 
suspended. 
¶16 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within 60 days of the date 
of this order, Attorney FitzGerald shall pay to the Office of 
Lawyer Regulation the costs of this proceeding.  If the costs 
                                                                                                                                                             
engage in the practice of law in Wisconsin while his 
or her state bar membership is suspended under this 
rule. 
No. 
2006AP2781-D   
 
10 
 
are not paid within the time specified and absent a showing to 
this court of his inability to pay those costs within that time, 
the license of Attorney FitzGerald to practice law in Wisconsin 
shall remain suspended until further order of this court. 
 
No. 
2006AP2781-D   
 
 
 
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