2022 WI 20
SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN
CASE NO.: 2021AP1996-D
COMPLETE TITLE: In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings
Against Scott D. Fisher, Attorney at Law:
Office of Lawyer Regulation,
Complainant,
v.
Scott D. Fisher,
Respondent.
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST FISHER
OPINION FILED: April 19, 2022
SUBMITTED ON BRIEFS:
ORAL ARGUMENT:
SOURCE OF APPEAL:
COURT:
COUNTY:
JUDGE:
JUSTICES:
Per Curiam.
NOT PARTICIPATING:
ATTORNEYS:
2022 WI 20
NOTICE
This opinion is subject to further
editing and modification. The final
version will appear in the bound
volume of the official reports.
No. 2021AP1996-D
STATE OF WISCONSIN : IN SUPREME COURT
In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings
Against Scott D. Fisher, Attorney at Law:
Office of Lawyer Regulation,
FILED
Complainant, APR 19, 2022
v. Sheila T. Reiff
Clerk of Supreme Court
Scott D. Fisher,
Respondent.
ATTORNEY disciplinary proceeding. Attorney's license
suspended.
¶1 PER CURIAM. The Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR)
and Attorney Scott D. Fisher have filed a stipulation pursuant
to Supreme Court Rule (SCR) 22.12 that Attorney Fisher's license
to practice law in Wisconsin should be suspended for one year,
as discipline reciprocal to that imposed by the Supreme Court of
Iowa. After reviewing the matter, we approve the stipulation
and impose the stipulated reciprocal discipline. Given the
comprehensive stipulation, which avoided the need to litigate
No. 2021AP1996-D
this matter and to appoint a referee, we impose no costs in this
proceeding.
¶2 Attorney Fisher was admitted to practice law in
Wisconsin in 2005. His Wisconsin law license is currently in
good standing, but inactive. He was admitted to practice law in
Iowa in 2007.
¶3 The OLR filed a complaint in this matter on November
17, 2021. The complaint alleged two counts of professional
misconduct: (1) that by virtue of an October 15, 2021, one-year
suspension of Attorney Fisher's Iowa law license by the Supreme
Court of Iowa, Attorney Fisher was subject to reciprocal
discipline in this state, pursuant to SCR 22.22(3), and (2) that
Attorney Fisher failed to notify the OLR of the Iowa suspension
within the required time, in violation of SCR 22.22(1).
¶4 On February 3, 2022, the OLR and Attorney Fisher filed
a stipulation in which Attorney Fisher stipulated to the two
counts set forth in the OLR's complaint. The OLR filed a
memorandum in support of the stipulation.
¶5 The parties assert that the stipulation was not the
result of plea bargaining. In the stipulation, Attorney Fisher
states that he does not contest the factual assertions and
misconduct charges alleged by the OLR, nor does he contest the
discipline requested by the OLR, namely a one-year suspension of
his license to practice law in Wisconsin. He represents that he
fully understands the allegations of misconduct alleged by the
OLR; that he understands the ramifications of the stipulated
level of discipline; that he understands his right to contest
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the allegations of misconduct and his right to consult counsel
regarding those allegations; and that he entered into the
stipulation knowingly and voluntarily.
¶6 In reciprocal discipline matters, SCR 22.22 mandates
that this court impose discipline identical to that imposed by
the other jurisdiction, unless one or more of three exceptions
apply. Attorney Fisher does not claim that any exception in SCR
22.22(3) applies to this matter.
¶7 The misconduct that resulted in the Supreme Court of
Iowa suspending Attorney Fisher's law license involved six
separate client matters as well as an allegation that Attorney
Fisher violated the Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct with
respect to the handling of his client trust account. The
misconduct alleged in the Iowa Supreme Court Attorney
Disciplinary Board's 67 page second substituted and amended
complaint against Attorney Fisher included revealing
confidential information of former clients on the internet;
false statements; frivolous filings; improperly withdrawing from
a case; conduct prejudicial to justice; and failing to cooperate
with the Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board.
¶8 In the parties' stipulation and the supporting
memorandum filed by the OLR, the parties acknowledge that
Attorney Fisher is subject to the imposition of reciprocal
discipline in this state by virtue of the one-year suspension
imposed in Iowa. The OLR asks this court to impose a one-year
suspension of Attorney Fisher's Wisconsin law license as the
appropriate reciprocal discipline.
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No. 2021AP1996-D
¶9 Upon review of this matter, we accept the stipulation
and impose a one-year suspension of Attorney Fisher's license to
practice law in Wisconsin, as discipline reciprocal to that
imposed by the Supreme Court of Iowa. Because this matter has
been resolved by means of a stipulation without the appointment
of a referee and because the OLR has not requested the
imposition of costs, we do not impose any costs upon Attorney
Fisher.
¶10 IT IS ORDERED that the license of Scott D. Fisher to
practice law in Wisconsin is suspended for one year, effective
the date of this order.
¶11 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Scott D. Fisher 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.
¶12 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that compliance with all
conditions of this order is required for reinstatement. See
SCR 22.28(3).
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