Court Opinion

ID: 9405070
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-06-27 14:12:28.310657+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:20:19.077602
License: Public Domain

2023 WI 55

                  SUPREME COURT         OF   WISCONSIN
CASE NO.:              2022AP1212-D

COMPLETE TITLE:        In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings
                       Against William H. Green, Attorney at Law:

                       Office of Lawyer Regulation,
                                 Complainant,
                            v.
                       William H. Green,
                                 Respondent.

                            DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST GREEN

OPINION FILED:         June 27, 2023
SUBMITTED ON BRIEFS:
ORAL ARGUMENT:

SOURCE OF APPEAL:
   COURT:
   COUNTY:
   JUDGE:

JUSTICES:
Per curiam.
NOT PARTICIPATING:

ATTORNEYS:
                                                                        2023 WI 55
                                                                NOTICE
                                                  This opinion is subject to further
                                                  editing and modification.   The final
                                                  version will appear in the bound
                                                  volume of the official reports.
No.   2022AP1212-D

STATE OF WISCONSIN                            :            IN SUPREME COURT

In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings
Against

William H. Green, Attorney at Law:

                                                                     FILED
Office of Lawyer Regulation,                                    JUN 27, 2023
             Complainant,                                        Samuel A. Christensen
                                                                Clerk of Supreme Court
      v.

William H. Green,

             Respondent.

      ATTORNEY      disciplinary   proceeding.            Attorney’s        license

suspended.

      ¶1     PER CURIAM.       We review the recommendation of referee

Charles H. Barr that the court declare Attorney William H. Green

in default and suspend his license to practice law in Wisconsin

for   a    period   of   two   years   for   24    counts      of    professional

misconduct that arose out of six separate client matters.                         The

referee also recommended that Attorney Green be required to make
restitution to two clients and that he be required to comply
                                                                           No.     2022AP1212-D

with two bankruptcy court disgorgement orders entered for the

benefit of other clients.               Finally, the referee recommended that

Attorney       Green   be     required        to    pay     the    full    costs     of     this

proceeding, which are $707 as of April 11, 2023.

       ¶2      Since    no     appeal     has        been      filed,     we     review      the

referee's report pursuant to Supreme Court Rule (SCR) 22.17(2).1

After conducting an independent review of the matter, we agree

with the referee that, based on Attorney Green's failure to

answer the complaint filed by the Office of Lawyer Regulation

(OLR), OLR is entitled to a default judgment.                                  We also agree

with the referee that Attorney Green's professional misconduct

warrants a two-year suspension of his Wisconsin law license.                                  We

further agree that Attorney Green should be ordered to make

restitution,         comply     with    the        bankruptcy          court     disgorgement

orders, and bear the full costs of this proceeding.

       ¶3      Attorney       Green     was        admitted       to    practice      law    in

Wisconsin in 1990.             His address on file with the State Bar of

Wisconsin is in Brown Deer, Wisconsin.                             Attorney Green's law
license has been suspended since December 26, 2021 for non-

cooperation with OLR's investigations into his misconduct.

       ¶4      Attorney Green's disciplinary history consists of a

2014       private   reprimand    for     failing         to      properly      consult     with

       SCR 22.17(2) provides: "If no appeal is filed timely, the
       1

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."

                                               2
                                                                    No.       2022AP1212-D

clients about a bankruptcy issue, failing to keep the clients

informed,        failing    to   diligently      pursue    the    matter        and   not

holding     or    reporting      fees   correctly.        Private    Reprimand        No.

2014-9.2        In 2016, Attorney Green was publicly reprimanded for

professional misconduct in three client matters involving lack

of   competence,      failure      to   pursue    resolution        of    a     client's

matters, and failing to comply with trust account rules.                          Public

Reprimand of William H. Green, No. 2016-8.3

      ¶5     On July 18, 2022, OLR filed the complaint underlying

this matter.        The first four counts of misconduct alleged in the

complaint arose out of Attorney Green's representation of M.P.,

who hired Attorney Green in December 2017 to represent him in a

bankruptcy matter.          M.P. agreed to pay Attorney Green $4,500 for

the representation and paid Attorney Green $1,140 before the

bankruptcy petition was filed.

      ¶6     Attorney Green filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition

for M.P. on December 27, 2017 in United States Bankruptcy Court

for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.                    On April 2, 2019, the
Chapter 13 Trustee moved to dismiss the bankruptcy because M.P.

had not been making the required payments.                      Attorney Green did

not respond to the Trustee's motion to dismiss or take any other

action     to     protect    M.P.'s     interest.         The    bankruptcy        court

dismissed the case on April 29, 2019.

      2   No electronic copy is available.
      3Electronic           copy           available           at
https://compendium.wicourts.gov/app/1f14304d736f3742230c29497964
233e33391845.continue?action=detail&detailOffset=2.

                                           3
                                                                   No.    2022AP1212-D

    ¶7      On June 27, 2019, Attorney Green filed a subsequent

Chapter 7 bankruptcy for M.P.              On September 30, 2019, the Clerk

of Court notified Attorney Green that M.P. needed to take a

personal financial management course and file a certificate of

course   completion     within      60   days.        M.P.   did    not    take   the

required course and filed no certificate.                 On December 3, 2019,

the bankruptcy court closed M.P.'s Chapter 7 case without a

discharge.       The bankruptcy court's order stated that M.P. could

move to reopen the case and file the certificate if he paid the

full filing fee.

    ¶8      On    January    2,    2020,       M.P.   completed     the    financial

management course and filed a certificate with the bankruptcy

court.     In 2021, M.P. contacted Attorney Green about reopening

the bankruptcy, and Attorney Green told him the cost to reopen

the Chapter 7 case and obtain a discharge was $400.                        M.P. paid

Attorney Green the $400 on or about August 4, 2021.

    ¶9      Over the next two months, M.P. called Attorney Green

multiple times and also sent emails and texts asking about the
status of his bankruptcy.           Attorney Green failed to respond, and

he did not move to reopen the bankruptcy.

    ¶10     On September 24, 2021, M.P. filed a grievance against

Attorney Green with OLR.           On October 29, 2021, OLR sent Attorney

Green a notice of formal investigation and requested a response

by November 22, 2021.

    ¶11     On November 30, 2021, OLR wrote Attorney Green and

informed   him    it   had   not    received      a   response.      OLR    provided
notice that if Attorney Green failed to respond within 20 days
                                           4
                                                                No.   2022AP1212-D

or   otherwise        show   an   inability     to    provide   the    requested

information, or file a motion with this court indicating why his

license should not be suspended, his license to practice law

would    be    automatically       suspended.         OLR   personally    served

Attorney Green with the November 30th letter on December 6,

2021.    Attorney Green did not respond.              Effective December 26,

2021, Attorney Green's law license was automatically suspended

for his failure to cooperate with OLR's investigation in this

and other OLR investigative matters.                  Attorney Green has not

subsequently cooperated in the investigation and the suspension

remains in effect.

     ¶12      OLR's    complaint    alleged     the    following      counts   of

misconduct with respect to Attorney Green's representation of

M.P.:

     Count 1: By failing to take meaningful action to
     advance [M.P.'s] Chapter 13 and Chapter 7 bankruptcy
     cases   following   the  filing   of    the petitions,
     [Attorney] Green violated SCR 20:1.3. 4

     Count 2: By failing to respond to [M.P.'s] telephone
     calls, emails and text messages seeking information
     and   assistance   regarding   his   bankruptcy   case,
     [Attorney] Green violated SCR 20:1.4(a)(3) and (4).5

     4 SCR 20:1.3 provides: "A lawyer shall act with reasonable
diligence and promptness in representing a client."
     5 SCR 20:1.4(a)(3) and (4) provide: "A lawyer shall: (3)
keep the client reasonably informed about the status of the
matter; (4) promptly comply with reasonable requests by the
client for information."

                                        5
                                                         No.     2022AP1212-D

    Count 3: By failing to refund $400 in unearned fees to
    [M.P.], [Attorney] Green violated SCR 20:1.16(d).6

    Count 4: By failing to respond to OLR's October 29,
    2021 notice of formal investigation, [Attorney] Green
    violated    SCR 22.03(2),[7]   enforceable  via   SCR
    20:8.4(h).8

    ¶13   The   next   client   matter   detailed   in   OLR's    complaint

involved Attorney Green's representation of B.L., who hired him

to represent her in a bankruptcy matter in 2018.          B.L. agreed to

pay Attorney Green $4,500 for the representation and paid him
$1,000 before he filed the bankruptcy petition.

    6  SCR   20:1.16(d)    provides:   "Upon    termination   of
representation, a lawyer shall take steps to the extent
reasonably practicable to protect a client's interests, such as
giving reasonable notice to the client, allowing time for
employment of other counsel, surrendering papers and property to
which the client is entitled and refunding any advance payments
of fee or expense that has not been earned or incurred. The
lawyer may retain papers relating to the client to the extent
permitted by other law."
    7  SCR 22.03(2) provides: "Upon commencing an investigation,
the director shall notify the respondent of the matter being
investigated unless in the opinion of the director the
investigation of the matter requires otherwise. The respondent
shall fully and fairly disclose all facts and circumstances
pertaining to the alleged misconduct within 20 days after being
served by ordinary mail a request for written response. The
director may allow additional time to respond. Following receipt
of the response, the director may conduct further investigation
and may compel the respondent to answer questions, furnish
documents, and present any information deemed relevant to the
investigation."
    8  SCR 20:8.4(h) provides: "It is professional misconduct to
fail to cooperate in the investigation of a grievance filed with
the office of lawyer regulation as required by SCR 21.15(4), SCR
22.001(9)(b), SCR 22.03(2), SCR 22.03(6), or SCR 22.04(1)."

                                   6
                                                                              No.     2022AP1212-D

       ¶14     On July 17, 2018, Attorney Green filed a Chapter 13

bankruptcy petition for B.L. in United States Bankruptcy Court

for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.                          Although Attorney Green

filed    a    proposed       Chapter    13     plan      with       the    petition,      he   was

unable to gain confirmation of the plan, and over the next 36

months he filed eight amendments to the plan.                                    Attorney Green

missed       multiple    filing      deadlines           in    the        case,     leading    the

Chapter 13 Trustee to ask for dismissal on three occasions.

B.L. tried to contact Attorney Green multiple times and tried to

meet    with    him     to   discuss     the       status      of    her     bankruptcy,       but

Attorney Green did not substantively respond to her requests.

       ¶15     On March 29, 2021, Attorney Green filed a stipulation

with    one    of     B.L.'s    creditors.            B.L.      had        not    approved     the

stipulation.

       ¶16     On   April      28,     2021,       the    bankruptcy             judge    ordered

Attorney Green to file an amended plan by May 11, 2021.                                        He

failed to do so.

       ¶17     On May 4, 2021, B.L. went to Attorney Green's office
but he would not meet with her.                     The following day, B.L. wrote

directly to the bankruptcy judge indicating that Attorney Green

was not communicating with her and that she no longer wanted him

to represent her.

       ¶18     On July 13, 2021, the bankruptcy judge held a hearing

on   the     Trustee's       dismissal       motion      and     B.L.'s          letter   to   the

bankruptcy court.             The bankruptcy court ordered Attorney Green

to file a motion to withdraw by July 16, 2021.                                   Attorney Green
did not move to withdraw.                    On July 23, 2021, the bankruptcy
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                                                                          No.   2022AP1212-D

court ordered Attorney Green to appear in person on August 5,

2021 to show cause why the bankruptcy court should not sanction

him for failing to obey the July 13th order.                              Attorney Green

failed to appear at the August 5th hearing and did not otherwise

respond.

       ¶19   On   August     6,    2021,      the      bankruptcy      court    terminated

Attorney     Green's    representation            of     B.L.    and   ordered     Attorney

Green to disgorge $1,000 in fees to B.L. by September 7, 2021.

The bankruptcy        court forwarded the August 6th order to OLR.

Attorney     Green     has   not       paid    B.L.       the    $1,000     reimbursement

ordered by the bankruptcy court.

       ¶20   On September 15, 2021, the bankruptcy court ordered

Attorney Green to appear in person on October 14, 2021 to show

cause why the bankruptcy court should not sanction him further.

On October 14, 2021, Attorney Green wrote to the bankruptcy

court saying he could not appear due to transportation issues,

that    he   lacked    $1,000     to    pay       B.L.,    and    that    he    had    health

issues.
       ¶21   On   October     15,      2021,       the    bankruptcy       court      entered

judgment against Attorney Green for $1,000 and barred him from

filing any new bankruptcy cases in the Eastern District.

       ¶22   On October 29, 2021, OLR sent Attorney Green a notice

of     formal     investigation         regarding          the    bankruptcy          court's

referral and requested a response by November 22, 2021.                                  This

was the same time frame as the notice sent to Attorney Green in

M.P.'s case.          As with M.P.'s case, Attorney Green failed to
respond to OLR, and his law license was automatically suspended
                                              8
                                                                    No.     2022AP1212-D

on   December     26,   2021.        Attorney    Green     has    not     subsequently

cooperated      in    the    investigation         in    B.L.'s     case,     and   the

suspension remains in effect.

      ¶23   The      complaint         alleged     the    following        counts    of

misconduct   arising        out   of    Attorney    Green's       representation     of

B.L.:

      Count 5: By failing to take meaningful action to
      advance [B.L.]'s bankruptcy case over a 36 month
      period, including failing to meet multiple deadlines
      associated with the case and causing the Trustee to
      file multiple motions to dismiss the bankruptcy case,
      [Attorney] Green violated SCR 20:1.3.

      Count 6: By failing to keep [B.L.] reasonably informed
      regarding the status of her case, and by failing to
      respond to [B.L.]'s numerous telephone calls seeking
      information and assistance regarding the bankruptcy
      case, including refusing to meet with [B.L.] on May 4,
      2021, [Attorney] Green violated SCR 20:1.4(a)(3) and
      (4).

      Count 7: By failing to comply with the court's April
      28, 2021, July 13, 2021, July 23, 2021, August 6,
      2021, and September 15, 2021 orders in [B.L.]'s
      bankruptcy proceeding, [Attorney] Green, in each
      instance, violated SCR 20:3.4(c).9

      Count 8: By failing to refund $1,000 in unearned fees
      to [B.L.], [Attorney] Green violated SCR 20:1.16(d).

      Count 9: By failing to respond to OLR's October 29,
      2021 notice of formal investigation, [Attorney] Green
      violated SCR 22.03(2), enforceable via SCR 20:8.4(h).
      ¶24   The      next   client     matter    detailed    in    OLR's     complaint

involved Attorney Green's representation of T.B. and J.B. (the

      9SCR 20:3.4(c) provides: "A lawyer shall not knowingly
disobey an obligation under the rules of a tribunal, except for
an open refusal based on an assertion that no valid obligation
exists."

                                           9
                                                                       No.    2022AP1212-D

Bs), who hired Attorney Green to represent them in a bankruptcy

matter in 2019.         The Bs agreed to pay Attorney Green $4,000 for

the    representation         and     paid   him    $1,573     prior     to    filing     a

bankruptcy petition.

       ¶25    On November 16, 2019, Attorney Green filed a Chapter

13 bankruptcy petition on behalf of the Bs in United States

Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.                                  The

Bank of New York Mellon (Mellon) was the Trustee for the holders

of a second mortgage on the Bs' home.                     On June 2, 2020, the Bs

and Mellon agreed to lift the automatic stay on Mellon's claims

to the home.

       ¶26    On September 1, 2020, the bankruptcy court confirmed

the Bs' Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition and plan.                       As part of the

plan, the Bs were required to make monthly payments and provide

tax returns to the bankruptcy Trustee.                       In the first half of

2021, the Bs gave their 2020 tax returns to Attorney Green, but

he did not forward them to the Trustee.

       ¶27    In   March      2021,    Mellon      filed   a     foreclosure        action
against      the   Bs   in    Milwaukee      County    circuit     court.          The   Bs

notified Attorney Green of the foreclosure action and repeatedly

called,      texted,    and    emailed       him   over    the    next       few   months.

Attorney Green did not respond to the Bs' efforts to contact

him.

       ¶28    On June 26, 2021, the circuit court in the foreclosure

case scheduled a hearing on a default motion against the Bs for

July 26, 2021.          On July 21, 2021, Attorney Green entered an
appearance in the foreclosure case.                   Attorney Green appeared at
                                             10
                                                              No.   2022AP1212-D

the hearing on Mellon's default motion on July 26, 2021.                    The

circuit court granted the default and set another hearing for

August    9,    2021   to   address   the   foreclosure   judgment     motion.

Attorney Green failed to appear at the scheduled hearing on

August 9, 2021, and the circuit court granted a foreclosure

judgment against the Bs.

      ¶29      On September 21, 2021, the Bs filed a grievance with

OLR   claiming     that     since   March   2021   Attorney   Green   had   not

responded to their numerous phone calls and emails and, because

of the foreclosure judgment, they were no longer able to work on

a payment plan with Mellon.

      ¶30      On September 29, 2021, the bankruptcy Trustee moved to

dismiss the bankruptcy because the Bs had not made the required

payments and had failed to provide tax returns to the Trustee.

Attorney Green failed to respond to the Trustee's motion to

dismiss or take any other steps to advance the Bs' bankruptcy.

      ¶31      On October 27, 2021, the bankruptcy court dismissed

the Bs' case.          Attorney Green had received $521.59 toward his
fees through the Chapter 13 plan.

      ¶32      On November 24, 2021, the Bs filed a new Chapter 13

bankruptcy petition with new counsel.              On December 3, 2021, the

bankruptcy court ordered Attorney Green to appear in person on

January 5, 2022 and show cause why his attorney's fees should

not be disgorged and why other sanctions should not be imposed

on him.        Attorney Green failed to respond to the bankruptcy

court order or appear on January 5, 2022.

                                       11
                                                                         No.     2022AP1212-D

      ¶33     On    January    6,    2022,       the    bankruptcy        court     ordered

Attorney Green to disgorge $2,094.59 in fees and pay that amount

to the Bs.         Attorney Green has not paid any part of the ordered

amount to the Bs.

      ¶34     On October 30, 2021, OLR sent Attorney Green a notice

of   formal       investigation      in    the    Bs'     matter    and        requested    a

response on or before November 22, 2021.                           As with the other

notices     of     formal     investigation,           Attorney     Green       failed     to

respond,     and    effective       December      26,    2021,     his    Wisconsin      law

license     was    automatically      suspended         for    failure     to     cooperate

with OLR's investigation.              Attorney Green has not subsequently

cooperated in the investigation of the Bs' grievance, and the

suspension remains in effect.

      ¶35     OLR's    complaint          alleged       the    following        counts     of

misconduct with respect to Attorney Green's representation of

the Bs:

      Count 10: By failing to appear at the hearing on
      Mellon's motion for default judgment and foreclosure,
      resulting in a judgment of foreclosure, and, in
      addition, by failing to take any action to respond to
      the Trustee's motion to dismiss the bankruptcy action,
      resulting in the dismissal of the [Bs]' bankruptcy
      proceeding, [Attorney] Green violated SCR 20:1.3.

      Count 11: By failing to keep the [Bs] reasonably
      informed regarding the status of their cases, and by
      failing to respond to the [Bs]' numerous telephone
      calls, emails and texts requesting information and
      assistance regarding both the foreclosure action and
      the bankruptcy case, [Attorney] Green violated SCR
      20:1.4(a)(3) and (4).

      Count 12: By failing to comply                          with the         court's
      December 3,  2021  and January                          6,  2022         orders,

                                            12
                                                                     No.    2022AP1212-D

    [Attorney]        Green,     in    each       instance,      violated        SCR
    20:3.4(c).

    Count 13: By failing to refund unearned fees to the
    [Bs], [Attorney] Green violated SCR 20:1.16(d).

    Count 14: By failing to respond to the OLR's October
    30, 2021 notice of formal investigation, [Attorney]
    Green violated SCR 22.03(2), enforceable via SCR
    20:8.4(h).
    ¶36       OLR's   complaint       also       alleged    that     Attorney       Green

engaged      in   professional    misconduct        in     his   representation          of

K.M., who hired him in November 2019 to file a termination of

parental rights case with step-parent adoption of her son.                             K.M.

agreed to pay Attorney Green $4,000 for the representation.                             She

paid him $2,000 in November 2019 and then paid $150 per month

toward the remaining $2,000.               By January 2021, Attorney Green

had received full payment.

    ¶37       Attorney Green took no action on K.M.'s behalf.                          K.M.

tried to contact Attorney Green through phone calls, emails, and

texts, but Attorney Green never substantively responded.

    ¶38       On October 19, 2021, K.M. filed a grievance against

Attorney Green with OLR.              On October 29, 2021, K.M. emailed

Attorney      Green   and     requested      a    full     refund    of    the    $4,000

attorney's fees she had paid.             Attorney Green failed to respond.

    ¶39       On November 22, 2021, OLR sent Attorney Green a notice

of formal investigation and requested a response by December 15,

2021.   As    with    the   previous    notices      of     formal    investigation,

Attorney Green failed to respond.                   Effective January 8, 2022,

his law license was automatically suspended for his failure to
cooperate     with    OLR's    investigation        in     the   matter.         Attorney

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                                                                  No.    2022AP1212-D

Green has not subsequently cooperated in the investigation of

K.M.'s grievance, and the suspension remains in effect.

    ¶40     The   complaint        alleged       the     following       counts   of

misconduct   arising   out    of    Attorney      Green's      representation      of

K.M.:

    Count 15: By failing to take any action on [K.M.]'s
    behalf to file a termination of parental rights and
    step-parent adoption case, [Attorney] Green violated
    SCR 20:1.3.

    Count 16: By failing to keep [K.M.] reasonably
    informed regarding the status of her case, and by
    failing to respond to [K.M.]'s numerous telephone
    calls and emails requesting information regarding the
    case, [Attorney] Green violated SCR 20:1.4(a)(3) and
    (4).

    Count 17: By failing to respond to [K.M.]'s request
    for   a   refund,  [Attorney]  Green  violated  SCR
    20:1.5(b)(3). 10

    Count 18: By failing to refund unearned fees                            to
    [K.M.], [Attorney] Green violated SCR 20:1.16(d).

    Count 19: By failing to respond to OLR's notice of
    formal   investigation dated  November  22,   2021,
    [Attorney] Green violated SCR 22.03(2), enforceable
    via SCR 20:8.4(h).
    ¶41     OLR's complaint further alleged that Attorney Green

committed    professional      misconduct              with    respect     to     his

representation    of   J.W.,       Jr.,    who    hired       Attorney    Green   to

represent him in a bankruptcy matter in 2020.                     J.W. agreed to

    10 SCR 20:1.5(b)(3) provides: "A lawyer shall promptly
respond to a client's request for information concerning fees
and expenses."

                                          14
                                                                  No.     2022AP1212-D

pay Attorney Green $4,500 for the representation and paid him

$1,000 prior to the filing.

    ¶42    On May 29, 2020, Attorney Green filed a Chapter 13

bankruptcy petition on J.W.'s behalf in United States Bankruptcy

Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.                      Attorney Green

filed multiple amendments to the original Chapter 13 plan, all

of which drew objections from the Trustee and/or creditors.

    ¶43    On July 20, 2020, the bankruptcy court ordered J.W. to

give the Trustee specific documents and file an amended plan

addressing specific issues.             Attorney Green failed to file an

amended plan or give the requested documents to the trustee.

    ¶44    On September 2, 2020, the Trustee moved to dismiss the

bankruptcy for failure to comply with the July 20th order.                          On

September 29, 2020, the bankruptcy court denied the Trustee's

motion    to    dismiss,       but    re-ordered    J.W.     to     provide        the

documentation and make changes to the bankruptcy plan.

    ¶45    On November 4, 2020, the Trustee filed another motion

to dismiss because J.W. had failed to make payments as required
under the proposed plan.              On December 4, 2020, the bankruptcy

court dismissed J.W.'s bankruptcy proceeding.

    ¶46        On   February    23,    2021,   Attorney    Green    filed      a   new

Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition on behalf of J.W.                    This proposed

bankruptcy plan was substantively the same as the one in the

earlier case that had failed to win confirmation.                       On March 26,

2021, the Trustee moved to dismiss J.W.'s new bankruptcy plan,

alleging the filing was not in good faith due to the plan's
similarity to the prior one and due to J.W.'s failure to make
                                         15
                                                                    No.   2022AP1212-D

payments      or    attend    the        scheduled    meeting      with   creditors.

Attorney Green failed to respond to this motion.                       On April 20,

2021,   the      bankruptcy    court       granted    the   Trustee's     motion   and

dismissed J.W.'s second petition.

    ¶47       On September 9, 2021, J.W. filed a grievance against

Attorney Green with OLR.             On October 28, 2021, OLR sent Attorney

Green a notice of formal investigation.                     As with the previous

notices     of     formal    investigation,          Attorney     Green   failed   to

respond, and effective December 26, 2021, his law license was

automatically suspended.                 Attorney Green has not subsequently

cooperated in the investigation into J.W.'s grievance, and the

suspension remains in effect.

    ¶48       The OLR's complaint alleged the following counts of

misconduct       arising    out     of    Attorney    Green's     representation    of

J.W.:

    Count 20: By failing to take meaningful action to
    advance [J.W.]'s bankruptcy case following the filing
    of two petitions, [Attorney] Green violated SCR
    20:1.3.

    Count 21: By failing to comply with the court's July
    20, 2020 and September 29, 2020 orders in [J.W.]'s
    bankruptcy proceeding, [Attorney] Green, in each
    instance, violated SCR 20:3.4(c).

    Count 22: By failing to respond to OLR's October 28,
    2021 notice of formal investigation, [Attorney] Green
    violated SCR 22.03(2), enforceable via SCR 20:8.4(h).
    ¶49       The final client matter detailed in OLR's complaint

concerned     Attorney      Green's       representation     of    J.V.   J.V.   hired

Attorney Green in August 2021 to represent her in a pending
divorce    action     as     well    as     in   a   juvenile     proceeding.      In

                                            16
                                                                 No.    2022AP1212-D

September    2021,      Attorney     Green     stopped   responding     to   J.V.'s

requests for information and advice.

    ¶50     On October 7, 2021, Attorney Green moved to withdraw

in the juvenile case, claiming health issues.                    J.V. was unable

to obtain a copy of her file from Attorney Green or gain access

to electronic court filings in her cases.

    ¶51     On October 12, 2021, J.V. filed a grievance against

Attorney Green with OLR.           On November 5, 2021, OLR sent Attorney

Green a notice of formal investigation.                  As with the previously

detailed notices of formal investigation, Attorney Green failed

to respond, and effective January 2, 2022, his law license was

automatically suspended.             Attorney Green has not subsequently

cooperated in OLR's investigation into J.V.'s grievance, and the

suspension remains in effect.

    ¶52     The     complaint        alleged     the     following      counts   of

misconduct with respect to Attorney Green's representation of

J.V.:

    Count 23: By failing to promptly return [J.V.]'s file,
    [Attorney] Green violated SCR 20:1.16(d).

    Count 24: By failing to respond to OLR's notice of
    formal   investigation  dated  November  5,   2021,
    [Attorney] Green violated SCR 22.03(2), enforceable
    via SCR 20:8.4(h).
    ¶53     After OLR made several unsuccessful attempts to serve

Attorney    Green       personally    with     the   complaint    and    order   to

answer,     he    was    served      by   certified      mail    by    sending   an

authenticated copy of the complaint and order to answer to the
most recent address on file with the State Bar on August 8,

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2022.      His answer or other response to the complaint was due

October 16, 2022.           A telephonic scheduling conference was held

on October 20, 2022.             Only counsel for OLR appeared, and counsel

expressed OLR's intention to file a motion for default judgment.

OLR's counsel represented that to the best of his knowledge,

based      on    OLR's    investigation,          Attorney     Green     was    not    then

engaged in and appeared to have abandoned the practice of law.

The referee adjourned the scheduling conference pending OLR's

filing of a motion for default judgment.

      ¶54       OLR filed its motion for default judgment on December

15, 2022.         Pursuant to the notice, a telephonic hearing on the

motion was held on January 20, 2023.                     Again, only counsel for

OLR appeared at the hearing.                 On January 23, 2023, the referee

issued      an    order    finding     that        OLR   had    complied       with    the

requirements for substituted service under SCR 22.13(1),11 that

no answer or any other response to the complaint had been served

or filed by Attorney Green or on his behalf, that the time for

doing so had expired, and that Attorney Green was therefore in
default.         Notwithstanding the finding of default, the referee's

January 23, 2023 order provided that if Attorney Green served

and   filed       a   response    to   the    complaint        within    30    days,   the

       SCR 22.13(1) provides: "The complaint and order to answer
      11

shall be served upon the respondent in the same manner as a
summons under section 801.11(1) of the statutes. If, with
reasonable diligence, the respondent cannot be served under
section 801.11(1)(a) or (b) of the statutes, service may be made
by sending by certified mail an authenticated copy of the
complaint and order to answer to the most recent address
furnished by the respondent to the state bar."

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                                                                      No.     2022AP1212-D

referee would rescind the finding of default.                              No answer or

other response to the complaint has been filed.

      ¶55    On March 22, 2023, the referee issued a report and a

recommendation      recommending         that    this    court       grant    the       OLR's

motion    for    default    judgment.           The     referee      found        that    OLR

complied with SCR 22.13(1) and properly served the complaint and

order to answer on Attorney Green.                    The referee found that the

OLR made reasonable and good faith attempts, above and beyond

the   attempts     necessary      to     satisfy       the    requirements          of    SCR

22.13(1), to provide Attorney Green with actual knowledge of the

proceeding and that further attempts to contact him would be

futile.

      ¶56    The referee deemed all of the allegations in OLR's

complaint established.           The referee found that OLR had met its

burden      of   proof   with         respect    to     all    of     the     counts       of

professional misconduct alleged in the complaint.

      ¶57    With respect to the appropriate sanction, the referee

noted that because Attorney Green has previously received both a
private     reprimand      and    a    public     reprimand,        the     doctrine       of

progressive discipline strongly suggests the appropriateness of

a suspension, particularly since the nature of the misconduct in

this case bears substantial similarity to the misconduct that

resulted in the two reprimands.                   The referee found that, in

significant       respects,       this     case       was     similar        to     In     re

Disciplinary      Proceedings         Against    Rostollan,         2018     WI    38,    381

Wis.2d 5, 911 N.W.2d 112, in which this court imposed a two-year
license     suspension.          Attorney       Rostollan      was    found        to    have
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                                                                    No.    2022AP1212-D

committed 21 counts of professional misconduct involving three

clients.       He had no prior disciplinary history.                    Like Attorney

Green, Attorney Rostollan was also found to be in default, and

at the time the case reached this court, Attorney Rostollan's

license had also been temporarily suspended for his failure to

cooperate in an OLR investigation.

      ¶58      The referee said the scope of misconduct in Rostollan

and the instant case was roughly comparable.                       The referee said

given that Attorney Green has been previously disciplined, and

Attorney Rostollan had not been, the suspension imposed here

should be no shorter than the suspension imposed in Rostollan.

The     referee    reasoned       that    the    progression        from    a    public

reprimand to a two-year suspension was significant and would

properly       reflect    the    scope   and     gravity    of   Attorney       Green's

misconduct.        The referee believed that a two-year suspension

would    also     serve     to   deter   other    attorneys      from     engaging     in

similar misconduct.

      ¶59      The referee further recommended that Attorney Green be
ordered to pay restitution of $400 to M.P. and $4,000 to K.M.,

and that he also be ordered to comply with the two bankruptcy

court disgorgement orders, one for the benefit of B.L. in the

amount of $1,000 and the other for the benefit of the Bs in the

amount    of    $2,094.59.        Finally,      the   referee    recommended         that

Attorney       Green   be    required    to     pay   the   full    costs       of   this

proceeding.

      ¶60      We review a referee's findings of fact subject to the
clearly erroneous standard.              See In re Disciplinary Proceedings
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                                                                          No.     2022AP1212-D

Against Eisenberg, 2004 WI 14, ¶5, 269 Wis.2d 43, 675 N.W.2d

747.    We review the referee's conclusions of law de novo.                                 Id.

We determine the appropriate level of discipline independent of

the    referee's       recommendation.                See     In     re         Disciplinary

Proceedings Against Widule, 2003 WI 34, ¶44, 261 Wis.2d 45, 660

N.W.2d 686.

       ¶61   In   light   of    Attorney          Green's     failure      to     appear     or

participate       in   this    case,    we        agree     with    the     referee        that

Attorney Green should be declared in default.                        We also find that

the referee properly relied on the allegations of the complaint,

which were deemed admitted.             See In re Disciplinary Proceedings

Against Roitburd, 2016 WI 12, ¶19, 368 Wis.2d 595, 882 N.W.2d

317.

       ¶62   We   agree   with    the    referee          that     the    allegations        in

OLR's complaint have been established and that Attorney Green

engaged in the 24 counts of misconduct alleged in the complaint.

We also agree that a two-year suspension of Attorney Green's

license to practice law in Wisconsin is an appropriate sanction
for the misconduct.            Although no two disciplinary proceedings

are    alike,     we   agree    with    the        referee       that     this      case    is

substantially similar to Rostollan.                       We agree that a two-year

license suspension is required to impress on Attorney Green the

seriousness       of   his     extensive           misconduct       and         deter   other

attorneys from engaging in similar misconduct in the future.

       ¶63   We    also   accept       the        referee's      recommendation            that

Attorney Green be required to make restitution to M.P. and K.M.
and that he also be required to comply with the two bankruptcy
                                             21
                                                                           No.    2022AP1212-D

court disgorgement orders.                Finally, we agree, consistent with

our standard practice, that Attorney Green should bear the full

costs of this proceedings which are $707 as of April 11, 2023.

    ¶64     IT IS ORDERED that the license of William H. Green to

practice    law    in   Wisconsin         is   suspended       for     a    period       of   two

years, effective the date of this order.

    ¶65     IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, to the extent he has not

already     done    so,        William    H.        Green    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.

    ¶66     IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within 60 days of the date

of this order, William H. Green shall pay restitution to M.P. in

the amount of $400 and to K.M. in the amount of $4,000.

    ¶67     IT     IS   FURTHER     ORDERED          that    William       H.    Green    shall

comply with the bankruptcy court disgorgement orders requiring

him to disgorge $1,000 in fees to B.L. and to disgorge $2,094.59

in fees to the Bs.

    ¶68     IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within 60 days of the date
of this order, William H. Green shall pay to the Office of

Lawyer Regulation the costs of this proceeding.

    ¶69     IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the restitution is to be

completed     prior       to     paying    costs        to    the    Office       of     Lawyer

Regulation.

    ¶70     IT     IS     FURTHER        ORDERED       that    compliance          with       all

conditions of this order is required for reinstatement. See SCR

22.29(4)(c).

                                               22
                                                              No.   2022AP1212-D

      ¶71     IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the temporary suspensions

of William H. Green's license to practice law issued on December

26,   2021,    January    2,   2022,   and   January   8,    2022   are   hereby

lifted.

      ¶72     IT   IS    FURTHER   ORDERED     that    any     administrative

suspension of William H. Green's license to practice law due to

his failure to pay mandatory bar dues and failure to comply with

continuing legal education requirements remains in effect.

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    No.   2022AP1212-D

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