Office of Lawyer Regulation v. Robert B. Moodie
Annotate this Case
Download PDF
2021 WI 75 SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN CASE NO.: 2018AP1781-D COMPLETE TITLE: In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings Against Robert B. Moodie, Attorney at Law: Office of Lawyer Regulation, Complainant-Respondent, v. Robert B. Moodie, Respondent-Appellant. ATTORNEY MOODIE REINSTATEMENT PROCEEDIGNS Reported at 391 Wis. 26 196,942 N.W.2d 302 PDC No:2020 WI 39 - Published OPINION FILED: SUBMITTED ON BRIEFS: ORAL ARGUMENT: August 31, 2021 SOURCE OF APPEAL: COURT: COUNTY: JUDGE: JUSTICES: Per Curiam. ZIEGLER, C.J., filed a concurring opinion. NOT PARTICIPATING: ATTORNEYS: 2021 WI 75 NOTICE This opinion is subject to further editing and modification. The final version will appear in the bound volume of the official reports. No. 2018AP1781-D STATE OF WISCONSIN : IN SUPREME COURT In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings Against Robert B. Moodie, Attorney at Law: Office of Lawyer Regulation, Complainant-Respondent, v. FILED AUG 31, 2021 Sheila T. Reiff Clerk of Supreme Court Robert B. Moodie, Respondent-Appellant. ATTORNEY reinstatement proceeding. ¶1 PER CURIAM. of Referee Jean Reinstatement granted. We review the report and recommendation A. DiMotto that Attorney Robert B. Moodie's petition for reinstatement of his license to practice law in Wisconsin be granted.1 Upon careful of review of the matter, we Because neither party appealed from the referee's report and recommendation, our review proceeds under Supreme Court Rule (SCR) 22.33(3), which provides that "[i]f no appeal is timely filed, the supreme court shall review the referee's report, order reinstatement, with or without conditions, deny reinstatement, or order the parties to file briefs in the matter." 1 No. 2018AP1781-D agree that Attorney Moodie's license should be reinstated. We also be agree with the referee that Attorney Moodie should required to pay the full costs of this reinstatement proceeding, which are $3,594.27 as of June 2, 2021. ¶2 Attorney Moodie Wisconsin in 1982. was admitted to practice law in He had no disciplinary history prior to the matter giving rise to this reinstatement proceeding. ¶3 Effective June 3, 2020, this court suspended Attorney Moodie's law license for a period of six months as discipline for his conversion of fees belonging to his law firm to his personal use. In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Moodie, 2020 WI 39, 391 Wis. 2d 196, 942 N.W.2d 302. ¶4 On October 1, 2020, Attorney Moodie filed a petition for reinstatement of his law license. The petition alleged, among other things, that Attorney Moodie had complied fully with the terms of this court's suspension order, that he had maintained competence and learning in the law, that his conduct since the suspension had been exemplary and above reproach, and that he had fully complied with the requirements set forth in SCR 22.26. ¶5 a On January 12, 2021, the Board of Bar Examiners filed memorandum, compliance ethics stating with and the that Attorney court's professional Moodie continuing was legal responsibility currently education requirements in and for reinstatement. ¶6 (OLR) On filed March a 4, 2021, response to the Office Attorney 2 of Lawyer Moodie's Regulation petition for No. reinstatement. The OLR stated that it 2018AP1781-D supported Attorney Moodie's petition for reinstatement so long as he could prove at the reinstatement hearing that, in the words of this court's disciplinary decision, he can "fully account for his moral lapses and explain how they have been addressed to ensure they will not happen again." ¶7 who On October 12, 2020, this court appointed a referee, conducted Attorney Moodie, 391 Wis. 2d 196, ¶17. a Moodie reinstatement testified at hearing the on hearing, witnesses who supported his reinstatement. received several letters in support of April as 8, well 2021. as two The referee also Attorney Moodie's reinstatement. ¶8 On May recommendation. satisfied the 12, 2021, the referee Attorney a report and The referee concluded that Attorney Moodie had requirements for reinstatement. SCR 22.31(1) and SCR 22.29(4)(a)-(4m).2 that filed Moodie testified in a See (former) The referee observed contrite and forthright manner during the reinstatement hearing and expressed "abject remorse and shame" for his misconduct. The referee noted that Attorney Moodie "has been reckoning with his misconduct for four Effective January 1, 2021, substantial changes were made to the rules pertaining to lawyer disciplinary procedures, including the reinstatement rules, SCR 22.29 through 22.33. See S. Ct. Order 19-06, 19-07, 19-08, 19-09, 19-10, 19-11, and 19-12, 2020 WI 62 (issued June 30, 2020, eff. Jan. 1, 2021). Because this reinstatement proceeding commenced prior to January 1, 2021, unless otherwise indicated, all references to the supreme court rules will be to those in effect prior to January 1, 2021. 2 3 No. years now"; that he understands that it was 2018AP1781-D driven by his personal dissatisfaction with the direction of his former law firm's management; and that he "now recognizes what he could have done differently to avoid the misconduct: discuss with his partners about their and his different viewpoints running firm, client development and retention, and compensation." a The referee found that Attorney Moodie has not practiced law during the period of his suspension; that he has complied with the terms of the order of suspension and will continue to do so until his license is reinstated; that he has maintained competence and learning in the law; that his conduct since the suspension has been exemplary and above reproach; that he has a proper understanding of and attitude towards the standards that are imposed upon members of the bar and will act in conformity with those standards; that he can be safely recommended to the legal profession, the courts, and the public as a person fit to be consulted by others and to represent them and otherwise act in matters of trust and confidence and in general to aid in the administration of justice as a member of the bar and as an officer of the courts; and that he owes no restitution. The referee also found that, if his license is reinstated, Attorney Moodie has planned his resumption of practice in such a way as to obviate the risk of his misconduct reoccurring; specifically, to practice only as a solo practitioner, only for friends and former clients, business and only transactions, in estate his areas planning, 4 of and competence——small residential real No. estate matters. 2018AP1781-D The referee also noted that the OLR had no objection to Attorney Moodie's reinstatement. ¶9 that Ultimately, the referee wrote that she was "satisfied Mr. Moodie reinstatement, conduct and has that his complied he with understands underlying all the requirements wrongfulness motivation for it, for of that his he is authentically remorseful, and has indeed become a better person" during the four years since his misconduct came to light. the referee recommended Moodie's law Attorney Moodie that license. be the The ordered court referee to pay reinstate also the Thus, Attorney recommended full costs of that this reinstatement proceeding. ¶10 The standards that apply to all petitions seeking reinstatement after a disciplinary suspension or revocation are set forth in SCR 22.31(1). In particular, the petitioning attorney must demonstrate by clear, satisfactory, and convincing evidence that he or she has the moral character necessary to practice law in this state, that his or her resumption of the practice of law will not be detrimental to the administration of justice or subversive of the public interest, and that the attorney has complied fully with the terms of the suspension order and of SCR 22.26. In addition, SCR 22.31(1)(c) incorporates the statements that a petition for reinstatement must contain petitioning pursuant attorney to must SCR 22.29(4)(a)–(4m). demonstrate that Thus, the the required representations in the reinstatement petition are substantiated. 5 No. ¶11 2018AP1781-D As in disciplinary proceedings, this court will affirm a referee's findings of fact unless they are found to be clearly erroneous. Conclusions of law are reviewed de novo. See In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Banks, 2010 WI 105, ¶16, 329 Wis. 2d 39, 787 N.W.2d 809. ¶12 Upon review of the record, we agree with the referee that Attorney Moodie has established by clear, satisfactory, and convincing evidence necessary for that of fact has satisfied reinstatement. SCR 22.29(4)(a)-(4m). findings he and See Accordingly, conclusions we of all the criteria SCR 22.31(1) adopt law and the we and referee's accept the referee's recommendation to reinstate Attorney Moodie's license to practice law in Wisconsin. with our general practice, We further determine, consistent that Attorney Moodie should be required to pay the full costs of this reinstatement proceeding. ¶13 IT IS ORDERED that Robert B. Moodie's petition for reinstatement of his license to practice law in Wisconsin from the disciplinary suspension is granted, effective the date of this order. ¶14 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, within 60 days of the date of this order, Robert B. Moodie shall pay to the Office of Lawyer Regulation the costs of this proceeding, $3,594.27 as of June 2, 2021. ¶15 ANN WALSH BRADLEY, J., did not participate. 6 which are No. ¶16 ANNETTE KINGSLAND ZIEGLER, C.J. 2018AP1781-D.akz (concurring). I agree with the court's decision to reinstate Attorney Moodie's license to practice law. I respectfully concur because, as I predicted when in April 2020 we ordered Attorney Moodie's license suspension, the disciplinary term imposed far exceeded six months. In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Moodie, 2020 WI 39, ¶¶26-34, 391 Wis. 2d 196, 942 N.W.2d 302 (Ziegler, J., dissenting). When it comes to lawyer discipline, courts should say what they mean and mean what they say. Id., ¶26. The court failed to do so in this case. ¶17 In this case, we did not individualize our determination and defaulted to a six-month mandatory suspension, built upon prior disciplinary orders. we have consistently said there Id., ¶¶14-15. is no fixed However, formula determining the "right" amount of lawyer discipline. for See In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Siderits, 2013 WI 2, ¶33, 345 Wis. 2d 89, 824 N.W.2d 812, (acknowledging that the imposition of discipline in attorney disciplinary cases "is not an exact science"). Each case is different, and tailored to each instance of misconduct. discipline must be See id., ¶¶31-32; see also In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Nunnery, 2011 WI 39, ¶5, 334 Wis. 2d 1, 798 N.W.2d 239 ("We determine the appropriate level of discipline given the particular facts of each case."). ¶18 In our April 2020 decision, the court held that Attorney Moodie's license would be suspended for a period of six months. Moodie, 391 Wis. 2d 196, ¶15. In reality, because of the required reinstatement process, Attorney Moodie's suspension 1 No. 2018AP1781-D.akz has been over twice the suspension period imposed. 22.29-22.33. See SCRs By the time he will be reinstated, Attorney Moodie will have been removed from the legal profession for almost 15 months. ¶19 The referee and the court in this case cited several of our precedents involving fund misappropriation. It is true that Casey, in In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against 174 Wis. 2d 341, 496 N.W.2d 94 (1993), we held that misappropriation from a law firm must carry misappropriation from a client. several cases, we ordered the same punishment as Further, following Casey, in license suspensions for misappropriation that were greater than six months. fund See, e.g., In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Olson, 216 Wis. 2d 483, 574 N.W.2d 245 (1998) (one-year suspension). misappropriation from attorneys and However, treating clients similarly, and imposing suspensions over six months in other cases with unique facts, does not imply that the court is bound to a six-month suspension in this case. Attorney disciplinary actions cannot be reduced simply to formulas or bare cutoffs. See Siderits, 345 Wis. 2d 89, ¶¶31-33; Nunnery, 334 Wis. 2d 1, ¶5. ¶20 different than cases cited by the court and relied upon by the OLR. See Moodie, Attorney 391 Moodie's Wis. 2d 196, case was ¶28-30 notably (Ziegler, J., dissenting) (citing Shea, 190 Wis. 2d 560) (noting that Attorney Moodie had become senior partner at a reputable law firm after practicing at the firm for 30 years, without any reports of unethical conduct; he had taken a relatively small amount of money and 2 No. repaid it in full; investigators, and he was forthright, accepted 2018AP1781-D.akz cooperated responsibility for with his OLR behavior; and, very likely, he would never practice in a law firm setting again). Furthermore, suspension for an in Casey, attorney who retainers, totaling $2,300. this court imposed misappropriated a three 174 Wis. 2d at 342. short client Given that Attorney Moodie would have ultimately collected a large portion of the proceeds he diverted from the firm, in aggregate, the amount Attorney Moodie wrongfully withheld from his partners in this case was approximately $3,000 to $3,500. See Moodie, 391 Wis. 2d 196, ¶28. Like Attorney Moodie, the attorney in Casey stipulated wrongful to his Casey for only 60 days. conduct, but the court Casey, 174 Wis. 2d at 343. suspended The referee in this case, in recommending a suspension four months longer than the suspension constraints imposed in Casey, through was motivated disciplinary cases by apparent since Casey. Nonetheless, no mandatory minimum for license suspensions can be found in Wisconsin statutes or caselaw. ¶21 If a perceived six-month constraint were not in place, based on the underlying disciplinary record, it is likely that the referee would not have recommended a six-month suspension. Certainly, the referee did not assert that a suspension lasting over a year was justified. In place of the recommended discipline, we could have suspended Attorney Moodie's license for five months and 28 days, mere days shorter than the eventual six-month suspension. punishment for This small change would have ensured just Attorney Moodie's 3 misconduct while also No. maintaining honesty and proportionality in 2018AP1781-D.akz our disciplinary process. ¶22 I disagree that when acting essentially as the "sentencing" decision maker in a lawyer discipline case, this court is hamstrung from exercising discretion. I disagree that we are bound to a mandatory minimum six-month penalty because of other fact-dependent cases. I disagree that we should have judicially imposed automatic minimum suspensions for all such cases no matter the evidence or mitigating circumstances. If we so constrain ourselves, we abdicate our responsibility to make individualized determinations, and with it, our ability to fairly and accurately "protect the public, the courts, and the legal system from repetition of misconduct." In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Sommers, 2012 WI 33, ¶80, 339 Wis. 2d 580, 811 N.W.2d 387. ¶23 We should not shirk our duty to carefully consider each matter independently, taking into account the gravity of the offense, its nature, the implications on profession, and the need to protect the public. the legal In furtherance of this objective, we should say what we mean and mean what we say. See dissenting); Moodie, see 319 also S. Wis. 2d 196, Ct. Order ¶¶26-34 19-10, In (Ziegler, the Matter J., of Amending Supreme Court Rules Pertaining to Permanent Revocation of a License to Practice Law in Attorney Disciplinary Proceedings (issued Dec. 18, 2019) (Ziegler, J., dissenting). We should not create false perceptions to both the public and to lawyers seeking to practice law. 4 When this court ties its own No. hands by setting a mandatory minimum 2018AP1781-D.akz six-month suspension (which, in reality, amounts to a far longer suspension than six months) instead of providing individualized consideration for each disciplinary matter, the court fails to perform fully its weighty responsibilities. ¶24 For the foregoing reasons, I respectfully concur. 5 No. 1 2018AP1781-D.akz
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
