Opinion ID: 1937211
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: sanction and costs

Text: [13] ¶ 34. Although the deficiencies in Mr. Carroll's proof of several requirements for reinstatement have been noted, the primary deficiency with his petition involves his trust account activities. His history of trust account difficulties, his difficulties in closing his trust account during the suspension, and his inadequate plan for proper trust account management upon reinstatement, all greatly concern this court. Mr. Carroll has done virtually nothing to assure this court that upon his reinstatement to the practice of law he would be able to avoid the problems that have contributed to his long history of disciplinary problems. [14] ¶ 35. Pursuant to SCR 22.33(4) a petitioner normally may again file a petition for reinstatement nine months after denial. However, we have the discretion to effectively reduce that period. See, e.g., In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Eisenberg, 122 Wis. 2d 627, 363 N.W.2d 430 (1985). In this instance we determine that Mr. Carroll should be permitted to file for reinstatement six months after the date of this opinion. He has indicated that he has been a licensed real estate broker in Wisconsin for approximately three months. His activities during that period plus the subsequent six months may enable him on his reapplication to cast his moral character in better light and demonstrate through specific examples that his handling of funds and maintenance of escrow and similar accounts is likely to improve so that we can safely conclude that he is fit to resume the practice of law without danger to the public. ¶ 36. The OLR seeks the costs of this proceeding pursuant to SCR 22.24. [10] Mr. Carroll opposes this on two grounds. ¶ 37. First, he submits that an unspecified portion of the costs should not be assessed against him because they resulted from the OLR's investigation of a claim concerning his conduct which it allegedly abandoned at the hearing. He submits the OLR's position was frivolous and he should therefore not have to pay for the costs for that portion of the investigation. ¶ 38. Second, he has moved this court to preclude the OLR from recovering any costs whatsoever because it did not file its statement of costs within 14 days after this appeal was assigned for submission to the court. ¶ 39. We reject Mr. Carroll's position and deny his motion. [15] ¶ 40. First, it does not appear that the OLR abandoned the subject claim entirely but simply did not pursue it at the hearing. Even if the claim had been pursued, it would not have affected the result here given Mr. Carroll's clear deficiency in establishing his moral character and his fitness to resume the practice of law. He failed to meet his burden to satisfy the requirements for reinstatement, regardless of whether the OLR prevailed on all of its specific claims, and therefore he should have to pay all of the costs. [16, 17] ¶ 41. Second, we reject Mr. Carroll's contention that the OLR violated the time requirement in SCR 22.24(2). Pursuant to In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Bult, 142 Wis. 2d 885, 419 N.W.2d 245 (1988) the date of submission is the date of oral argument. The time limit is also not jurisdictional and is subject to extension by this court. ¶ 42. IT IS ORDERED that the petition of John Miller Carroll for the reinstatement of his license to practice law in Wisconsin is denied. ¶ 43. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Mr. Carroll may again file a petition for reinstatement six months after the date of this decision. ¶ 44. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Mr. Carroll's motion regarding costs is denied and that he shall pay the costs of this proceeding. ¶ 45. DIANE S. SYKES, J., did not participate.