Yet Another Weak Discipline Case

By Attorney Gregg Herman
May 21, 2013

Sorry if this is getting repetitive, but the Wisconsin Supreme Court today issued yet another weak discipline decision.

Atty. Walter Stern had been the subject of four (count ’em – 4!) prior disciplinary proceedings.

In the one resulting in today’s decision, In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings Against Walter W. Stern Case No.: 2013AP149-D, Attorney Stern was disciplined for conduct which had resulted in his being convicted of a federal crime for money laundering.

The Wisconsin Court System’s Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) sought and the referee recommended a sanction of a 2 year suspension.

My Question:  If five separate discipline actions including a conviction for a serious felony does not result in a license revocation, what would?

Oh, and OLR did not even seek costs due to Attorney Stern’s cooperation.  So, the rest of us lawyers get to pay for the so-called prosecution.

Attorney Gregg Herman is a founding partner of Loeb & Herman, LLC in Milwaukee, WI. He practices family law exclusively, and can be reached via e-mail or by calling (414) 272-5632.