Court Opinion

ID: 9735023
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 17:57:50.822321+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:54.396331
License: Public Domain

LOUIS B. BUTLER, JR., J.
¶ 33. (concurring in part, dissenting in part). I join the court's decision and order as to the discipline imposed in this action. I write separately because I disagree with the court that full costs should be imposed in this case. For the reasons stated in my concurring in part, dissenting in part, opinions in In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Polich, 2005 WI 36, 279 Wis. 2d 266, 694 N.W.2d 367, and In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Backes, 2005 WI 59, 281 Wis. 2d 1, 697 N.W.2d 49, because Attorney Felli was absolved of any misconduct in the matter involving a third unnamed client, see per curiam op., ¶ 18, I would not assess any costs for the two counts associated with that matter. I would adopt a "substantially related" test for violations that were not established by Office of Lawyer Regulation ("OLR") before assessing costs on counts for which there was no *38proof. Costs should not be assessed against an attorney in unrelated, unsuccessful counts where no misconduct has been found concerning a particular client. Such an assessment simply does not support the purposes underlying the factors we consider in determining the appropriate level of discipline where misconduct has occurred but in unrelated matters.
¶ 34. I therefore respectfully dissent from that portion of the court's opinion that assesses full costs against Attorney Felli. I concur with the remainder of the decision.
¶ 35. I am authorized to state that Justices DAVID T. PROSSER, JR. and PATIENCE DRAKE ROGGENSACK join this opinion.