Court Opinion

ID: 9881823
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-10-04 07:49:15.034323+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:25:12.436175
License: Public Domain

2023 WI 65

                  SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN
CASE NO.:              2023AP734-D

COMPLETE TITLE:        In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings
                       Against
                       Nicole L. Beran, Attorney at Law:

                       Office of Lawyer Regulation,
                                 Complainant,
                            v.
                       Nicole L. Beran,
                                 Respondent.

                            DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST BERAN

OPINION FILED:         September 29, 2023
SUBMITTED ON BRIEFS:
ORAL ARGUMENT:

SOURCE OF APPEAL:
   COURT:
   COUNTY:
   JUDGE:

JUSTICES:
Per curiam.

ATTORNEYS:
                                                                      2023 WI 65
                                                              NOTICE
                                                This opinion is subject to further
                                                editing and modification.   The final
                                                version will appear in the bound
                                                volume of the official reports.
No.   2023AP734-D

STATE OF WISCONSIN                          :            IN SUPREME COURT

In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings
Against

Nicole L. Beran, Attorney at Law:

                                                                   FILED
Office of Lawyer Regulation,
                                                              SEP 29, 2023
             Complainant,
                                                               Samuel A. Christensen
                                                              Clerk of Supreme Court
      v.

Nicole L. Beran,

             Respondent.

      ATTORNEY      disciplinary   proceeding.          Attorney's        license

suspended.

      ¶1     PER CURIAM.     This is a reciprocal discipline matter.

Attorney Nicole L. Beran is an active member of the Wisconsin

State Bar in good standing.           On May 1, 2023, the Office of

Lawyer Regulation (OLR) filed a complaint and motion pursuant to

Supreme     Court   Rule   (SCR) 22.22,1   requesting       that    this     court

      1   SCR 22.22 provides:
                                             No.   2023AP734-D

     (1) An attorney on whom public discipline for
misconduct or a license suspension for medical
incapacity has been imposed by another jurisdiction
shall promptly notify the director of the matter.
Failure to furnish the notice within 20 days of the
effective date of the order or judgment of the other
jurisdiction constitutes misconduct.

     (2) Upon the receipt of a certified copy of a
judgment or order of another jurisdiction imposing
discipline for misconduct or a license suspension for
medical incapacity of an attorney admitted to the
practice of law or engaged in the practice of law in
this state, the director may file a complaint in the
supreme court containing all of the following:

     (a) A certified copy of the judgment or order
from the other jurisdiction.

     (b) A motion requesting an order directing the
attorney to inform the supreme court in writing within
20 days of any claim of the attorney predicated on the
grounds set forth in sub. (3) that the imposition of
the identical discipline or license suspension by the
supreme court would be unwarranted and the factual
basis for the claim.

     (3) The supreme court shall impose the identical
discipline or license suspension unless one or more of
the following is present:

     (a) The procedure in the other jurisdiction was
so lacking in notice or opportunity to be heard as to
constitute a deprivation of due process.

     (b) There was such an infirmity of proof
establishing the misconduct or medical incapacity that
the supreme court could not accept as final the
conclusion in respect to the misconduct or medical
incapacity.

     (c)   The   misconduct   justifies   substantially
different discipline in this state.

     (4) Except as provided in sub. (3), a final
adjudication in another jurisdiction that an attorney
has engaged in misconduct or has a medical incapacity

                           2
                                                         No.   2023AP734-D

suspend Attorney Beran's license to practice law in Wisconsin

for 30 days, as discipline reciprocal to that imposed upon her

in Illinois.    The OLR further requested that this court order

Attorney Beran to comply with all of the terms and conditions of

probation set forth in the January 17, 2023 judgment and order

of the Supreme Court of Illinois.

    ¶2      Attorney Beran and the OLR executed a stipulation in

which Attorney Beran agrees that her license to practice law in

Wisconsin    should   be   suspended   for   30   days   as    discipline

reciprocal to that imposed by the Supreme Court in Illinois.

Attorney Beran further stipulates that she should be ordered to

comply with all of the terms and conditions of probation set

forth in the January 17, 2023 judgment and order of the Supreme

Court of Illinois.    Upon our review of the matter, we accept the

    (Continued)

    shall be conclusive evidence of the attorney's
    misconduct or medical incapacity for purposes of a
    proceeding under this rule.

         (5) The supreme court may refer a complaint filed
    under sub. (2) to a referee for a hearing and a report
    and recommendation pursuant to SCR 22.16.      At the
    hearing, the burden is on the party seeking the
    imposition   of  discipline   or   license  suspension
    different from that imposed in the other jurisdiction
    to demonstrate that the imposition of identical
    discipline or license suspension by the supreme court
    is unwarranted.

         (6) If the discipline or license suspension
    imposed in the other jurisdiction has been stayed, any
    reciprocal discipline or license suspension imposed by
    the supreme court shall be held in abeyance until the
    stay expires.

                                   3
                                                                            No.   2023AP734-D

stipulation and suspend Attorney Beran's license to practice law

in Wisconsin for a period of 30 days and order her to comply

with   the     terms       and   conditions       of    probation         imposed    by     the

Supreme Court of Illinois.                   Because the parties were able to

resolve      this    matter      without      the      need   for     appointment         of   a

referee, no costs will be imposed.

                                        Background

       ¶3     The parties agree to the following facts.                             Attorney

Beran was admitted to practice law in Wisconsin in 1999.                                    She

was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2000.                                   Attorney

Beran has no previous disciplinary history in Wisconsin.

       ¶4     On     September          2,    2021,       the        Illinois       Attorney

Registration         and     Disciplinary         Commission          (IARDC)       filed      a

complaint          against       Attorney         Beran       alleging        professional

misconduct      in    three      client      matters.         In    all   three     matters,

Attorney Beran was hired on an hourly basis to represent her

clients in family law-related matters and accepted an advanced

fee.        The first count alleged that Attorney Beran failed to
return an unearned fee, failed to act with reasonable diligence

and promptness, failed to keep the client reasonably informed

about the status of the matter, failed to promptly comply with

reasonable requests for information, and failed to take steps to

protect       the    client's          interests       upon        termination       of     the

representation.            The second count alleged that Attorney Beran

failed to competently represent the client, failed to act with

reasonable      diligence        and    promptness,       and      failed    to     keep    the
client reasonably informed about the status of the matter.                                  The
                                              4
                                                                         No.   2023AP734-D

third    count   alleged       that   Attorney        Beran     failed    to    act    with

reasonable diligence and promptness, failed to keep the client

reasonably informed about the status of the matter, failed to

respond to reasonable requests for information from the client,

and failed to return unearned fees.                     The fourth count alleged

that Attorney Beran failed to appear before the IARDC, failed to

provide written responses to certain questions from the IARDC,

and failed to provide requested documentation.

       ¶5     On December 12, 2022, the IARDC filed a "Petition to

Impose      Discipline    On    Consent     Pursuant       to    Supreme       Court   [of

Illinois] Rule 762(b)," which was joined by Attorney Beran.                             In

the    petition,    the    parties       stipulated       that     Attorney      Beran's

license to practice law in Illinois should be suspended for a

period of six months, with the suspension stayed after thirty

days and a two-year period of probation subject to numerous

conditions.        These       conditions       include:         repaying      specified

monies to the Illinois Client Protection Program Trust Fund;

attending      meetings        with   the       IARDC    probation         officer      and
submitting quarterly written reports; undergoing treatment with

a    qualified   mental    health       professional;         completing       the    IARDC

Professionalism     Seminar       within        the   first     year     of    probation;

obtaining an attorney-monitor, attending associated meetings and

participating in a law office management program, including use

of    specified     systems       and     practices;          complying        with     the

provisions of the Illinois Supreme Court Rules on Admission and

Discipline of Attorneys and the Illinois Rules of Professional
Conduct; cooperating with and providing information to the IARDC
                                            5
                                                                      No.    2023AP734-D

Administrator as to any ensuing investigations; reimbursing the

IARDC    for    the    costs   of    the   proceeding    and     her       probationary

period;    and       providing      required   notifications          to    the     IARDC

Administrator.2

     ¶6        On January 17, 2023, the Supreme Court of Illinois

approved       the    petition,      suspended   Attorney        Beran       from    the

practice of law for six months, with the suspension stayed after

30 days, and imposed a two-year period of probation with the

aforementioned conditions.             The suspension became effective as

of February 7, 2023, and ended on March 9, 2023, at which point

the two-year period of probation commenced.

     ¶7        Attorney Beran failed to notify OLR of the suspension

of her Illinois license to practice law within 20 days of its

effective date.

     ¶8        On May 1, 2023, the OLR filed a complaint and motion

alleging       that    Attorney       Beran    was     subject     to        reciprocal

discipline by virtue of the suspension of her law license in

Illinois   pursuant       to   SCR    22.22.     The    OLR    also    alleged       that
Attorney Beran violated SCR 22.22(1) by failing to notify OLR of

the suspension of her Illinois license to practice law within 20

days of its effective date.

     2  The full terms and conditions of Attorney Beran's
probation are set forth in the OLR's complaint and motion, the
stipulation filed by the parties, and the judgment and order and
notice of entry of judgment of the Supreme Court of Illinois,
dated January 17, 2023, a certified copy of which was filed as
exhibit 1 to the OLR's complaint and motion. The full terms and
conditions of Attorney Beran's probation, as set forth in those
documents, are incorporated herein by reference.

                                           6
                                                                             No.   2023AP734-D

       ¶9    On June 27, 2023, Attorney Beran and the OLR filed a

stipulation, agreeing that by virtue of her Illinois suspension

and    probation,     she     is    subject         to     reciprocal        discipline      in

Wisconsin.     Attorney Beran agrees that it would be appropriate

for this court to suspend her Wisconsin law license for a period

of 30 days and order her to comply with all of the terms and

conditions     of    probation         set    forth       in    the    January     17,     2023

judgment     and    order   of     the       Supreme      Court       of   Illinois.        The

parties state that the stipulation did not result from                                     plea

bargaining.         Attorney       Beran      does    not      contest      the    facts    and

misconduct alleged by the OLR, and she agrees to the level of

discipline sought by the OLR.                      Attorney Beran also represents

and    verifies      the    following:               she       fully       understands      the

misconduct allegations; she fully understands the ramifications

should this court impose the stipulated level of discipline; she

fully understands her right to contest the matter; she fully

understands her right to consult with and retain counsel; and

that   her   entry     into      the     stipulation           is   made     knowingly      and
voluntarily.        Attorney Beran also stipulates that she does not

claim any of the potential defenses set forth in SCR 22.22(3).

       ¶10   In addition to these stipulated facts, we note that

the discipline imposed by the Supreme Court of Illinois was

based, in part, on a number of mitigating factors, as set forth

in the transcript from the IARDC hearing.                             Attorney Beran was

the sole associate at a two-person law firm.                               The firm's owner

abruptly     abandoned      the     practice,            leaving      Attorney     Beran     to
inherit the partner's heavy caseload, in addition to her own.
                                               7
                                                                              No.     2023AP734-D

She   was   also       required      to    manage      the    law   office,         despite    no

experience or training in doing so.                           Shortly thereafter, the

sole legal assistant in the office left, and Attorney Beran

became the sole caregiver for her two elderly parents, one with

dementia and the other who was placed in a nursing home during

the COVID-19 restrictions.                   After IARDC filed its complaint,

Attorney Beran fully cooperated with the resulting disciplinary

proceeding.

                                           Analysis

      ¶11    Upon       our     review       of      the     matter,      we        accept    the

stipulation.           In cases of reciprocal discipline, SCR 22.22(3)

requires this court to impose "the identical discipline" as that

imposed by the other jurisdiction unless one or more exceptions

are met.     We conclude that none of the listed exceptions apply

here.     Because the Supreme Court of Illinois imposed a six-month

suspension of Attorney Beran's license to practice law, which

was stayed after a period of 30 days, a 30-day suspension of

Attorney     Beran's           license       to       practice      law        in     Wisconsin
constitutes "the identical discipline" in this case.

      ¶12    However,         there       remains      the    issue      of    the     two-year

period of probation imposed by the Supreme Court of Illinois.

Unlike the State of Illinois, Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules do

not provide for probation as a form of attorney discipline.                                   See

SCR 21.16.        "In similar situations, where the other jurisdiction

has   imposed      a    form    of    discipline           that   this    court       does    not

impose,     such       as   probation,       we       have    ordered     the        respondent
attorney     to     comply      with       the       terms   and    conditions          of    the
                                                 8
                                                                         No.    2023AP734-D

disciplinary        order    in    the      other     jurisdiction."               In   re

Disciplinary Proceedings Against Stoltman, 2018 WI 91, ¶11, 383

Wis.    2d   484,     915    N.W.2d      176     (citing      In    re     Disciplinary

Proceedings Against Gillette, 2017 WI 48, ¶¶14-17, 375 Wis. 2d

112,   895    N.W.2d    1;    In    re   Disciplinary         Proceedings          Against

Hooker, 2010 WI 13, ¶11, 322 Wis. 2d 552, 779 N.W.2d 419; and In

re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Moree, 2004 WI 118, 275 Wis.

2d   279,    684   N.W.2d    667).       As     set   forth    in   Stoltman:           "By

stipulating that she is subject to reciprocal discipline under

SCR 22.22, Attorney [Beran] is acknowledging that this court may

order her to comply with the order of probation imposed by the

[Supreme Court of Illinois]."            Id. ¶11, n.4.

       ¶13   Therefore, we impose a 30-day suspension of Attorney

Beran's Wisconsin law license, as discipline reciprocal to that

imposed by the Supreme Court of Illinois.                  We further order that

Attorney Beran shall comply with all of the terms and conditions

of probation set forth in the January 17, 2023 judgment and

order of the Supreme Court of Illinois.
       ¶14   Because    this       matter       was   resolved      by         stipulation

without the need for appointment of a referee, no costs are

imposed.

       ¶15   IT IS ORDERED that the license of Attorney Nicole L.

Beran to practice law in Wisconsin is suspended for a period of

30 days, effective five weeks from the date of this order.

       ¶16   IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Attorney Nicole L. Beran

shall comply with all of the terms and conditions of probation

                                            9
                                                  No.   2023AP734-D

set forth in the January 17, 2023 judgment and order of the

Supreme Court of Illinois.

    ¶17   IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, to the extent she has not

already done so, Attorney Nicole L. Beran shall comply with the

provisions of SCR 22.26 concerning the duties of a person whose

license to practice law in Wisconsin has been suspended.

                               10
    No.   2023AP734-D

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