No Need For Further Suspension

The Wisconsin Supreme Court did not suspend an attorney who had been placed on a medical incapacity suspension in October 2008 while facing 43 counts of professional misconduct.

He was reinstated from the incapacity suspension in July 2016.

This is an unusual disciplinary proceeding. It commenced in 2007 but was held in abeyance because Attorney Muwonge was deemed to have a medical incapacity. That medical incapacity has been removed so the disciplinary proceeding can proceed.

…In the following years, Attorney Muwonge successfully sought and obtained treatment for his mental health and substance abuse issues.

The disciplinary proceedings recommenced when he was reinstated

The misconduct alleged in the 2007 disciplinary proceeding is serious. The amended complaint alleged 43 counts of professional misconduct involving 15 clients, primarily in immigration cases. It reflects a pattern of failure to pursue client matters, failure to respond to client inquiries, failure to communicate with clients, failure to keep clients informed, failure to refund retainers or costs that were not expended, and failure to return client files. For example, Attorney Muwonge was retained to help A&W Iron Metal, Inc. (A&W) obtain permanent resident status for certain employees. Attorney Muwonge failed to meet with the clients to address their questions, failed to return filed documents, and “[n]one of the workers received permanent status.” Individual clients were also harmed when Attorney Muwonge failed to appear at hearings or to complete work he had undertaken for them.

The suspension was taken into account in reaching a fair result.

To suspend or revoke Attorney Muwonge’s law license again, for misconduct that occurred prior to the lengthy suspension for medical incapacity, would not serve the interests of justice and is not necessary to protect the public. Under the specific facts of this case, we are satisfied that the imposition of additional conditions and restitution, as stipulated by the parties and recommended by the referee, is sufficient discipline for the misconduct described in the 2007 disciplinary proceeding.

The court ordered restitution to several clients. (Mike Frisch)