Opinion ID: 1284480
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: the d.k. client matter (counts 5 and 6)

Text: ¶ 19 In the final matter, D.K. suffered injuries in two separate traffic accidents. First, as a pedestrian in a crosswalk, D.K. was hit by a truck and suffered injuries. Several months later, before her first case was resolved, D.K. was again injured in a separate automobile accident. D.K. retained Attorney Timothy Geary and Attorney Mandelman, both of whom agreed to serve as co-counsel on the two cases. ¶ 20 In April 2005, with respect to the first accident, a $145,000 settlement check was sent to Attorney Mandelman's firm. He did not obtain D.K.'s endorsement and did not deposit the check into his trust account until August 1, 2005. ¶ 21 Although Attorney Mandelman had agreed to provide updated notices to Medicare on D.K.'s behalf, he failed to do so timely. He also failed to pay the subrogated Medicare lien and the assessed interest in a timely fashion. D.K. had requested the return of certain items from her file and Attorney Mandelman promised to do so within 24 hours, but he failed to return them. This misconduct gave rise to count five, charging a violation of SCR 20:1.3, [5] which requires a lawyer to act with reasonable diligence and promptness. ¶ 22 In addition, Attorney Mandelman failed to pay D.K. $100 that had been left in his trust account for more than four months after he was discharged as her attorney, and two and one-half months after his license suspension. This misconduct gave rise to count six, former SCR 20:1.15(d)(1), which requires a lawyer to notify a client promptly when he receives funds in which a client has an interest and promptly deliver the funds absent an agreement or legal requirement to do otherwise. ¶ 23 Upon the parties' stipulation, the referee accepted the disciplinary complaint's allegations to establish the factual basis for the counts charged. Attorney Mandelman and the OLR jointly recommended a sanction consisting of a one-year suspension of Attorney Mandelman's law license effective April 1, 2007, which is when Attorney Mandelman could have been eligible for reinstatement following his one-year suspension in 2006. Attorney Mandelman also stipulated to bear the costs of this disciplinary proceeding and pay restitution to clients S.M. and B.S. The referee accepted the parties' stipulated recommendation for the sanction, costs, and restitution. [6] ¶ 24 No appeal has been filed. This court reviews the matter according to the provisions of SCR 22.17(2). [7] We approve and adopt the referee's findings and conclusions regarding Attorney Mandelman's misconduct. Also, we conclude the seriousness of Attorney Mandelman's professional misconduct warrants license suspension of one year. We depart, however, from the referee's recommendation that the suspension should be retroactive to April 1, 2007. The court will impose whatever sanction it determines is appropriate to achieve the goals of lawyer discipline, regardless of the referee's recommendation. In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Widule, 2003 WI 34, ¶ 44, 261 Wis.2d 45, 660 N.W.2d 686. ¶ 25 In response to this court's order, the parties filed memoranda addressing the question of discipline. The OLR argues a one-year suspension is appropriate in view of numerous cases involving similar misconduct. See, for example, In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Kalal, 2005 WI 138, 286 Wis.2d 10, 704 N.W.2d 575; In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Archie, 205 Wis.2d 122, 555 N.W.2d 378 (1996). The OLR observes that little of the misconduct post-dated the most recent suspension, and nine months suspension resulting from Attorney Mandelman's 2006 discipline together with an additional 12 months would be sufficient. The OLR contends that while retroactive suspensions are not commonplace, they do not lack precedent. See In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Gilbert, 2004 WI 144, 276 Wis.2d 395, 689 N.W.2d 50. ¶ 26 Attorney Mandelman contends a one-year license suspension retroactive to April 1, 2007, would be appropriate. He says he has taken responsibility for his misconduct by stipulating to all of the complaint's fact allegations as well as stipulating to the duration of the discipline sought by the OLR. He notes he had the option of seeking reinstatement but instead sought to resolve this matter before proceeding. Thus, he contends, a retroactive suspension would properly take into account all those factors. [8] ¶ 27 We acknowledge Attorney Mandelman has accepted responsibility for his misconduct. We conclude, nevertheless, the mitigating effect of his acceptance of responsibility must be viewed in relation to his extensive disciplinary history, along with the number of counts and the nature of his misconduct. In view of these significantly aggravating factors, we conclude that a retroactive suspension fails to achieve the goals of legal discipline. Accordingly, the one-year license suspension shall be effective the date of this order. ¶ 28 IT IS ORDERED that the license of Michael D. Mandelman to practice law in Wisconsin is suspended for a period of one year, effective the date of this order. ¶ 29 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that to the extent he has not yet done so, Michael D. Mandelman shall comply with SCR 22.26 regarding the duties of a person whose license to practice law in Wisconsin has been suspended. ¶ 30 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Michael D. Mandelman pay restitution as determined in the referee's report. If the restitution is not paid within 60 days of this order, Michael D. Mandelman's license to practice law in Wisconsin shall remain suspended until further order of the court. ¶ 31 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within 90 days of the date of this order Michael D. Mandelman pay to the Office of Lawyer Regulation the costs of this proceeding. If costs are not paid within the time specified and absent a showing to this court of his inability to pay the costs within that time, Michael D. Mandelman's license to practice law in Wisconsin shall remain suspended until further order of the court.