Office of Lawyer Regulation v. Paul E. Overson ( 2024 )

2024 WI 35SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN
CASE NO.: 2024AP1179-D
COMPLETE TITLE: In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings
Against Paul E. Overson, Attorney at Law:
Office of Lawyer Regulation,
Complainant,
v.
Paul E. Overson,
Respondent.
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST OVERSON
OPINION FILED: September 20, 2024
SUBMITTED ON BRIEFS:
ORAL ARGUMENT:
SOURCE OF APPEAL:
COURT:
COUNTY:
JUDGE:
JUSTICES:
Per curiam.
ATTORNEYS:
2024 WI 35NOTICE
This opinion is subject to further
editing and modification. The final
version will appear in the bound
volume of the official reports.
No. 2024AP1179-D
STATE OF WISCONSIN : IN SUPREME COURT
In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings
Against Paul E. Overson, Attorney at Law:
Office of Lawyer Regulation,
FILED
Complainant,
SEP 20, 2024
v.
Samuel A. Christensen
Paul E. Overson, Clerk of Supreme Court
Respondent.
ATTORNEY disciplinary proceeding. Attorney's license
suspended.
¶1 PER CURIAM. The Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR)
and Attorney Paul E. Overson have filed a stipulation pursuant
to Supreme Court Rule (SCR) 22.12 that Attorney Overson's
license to practice law in Wisconsin be suspended for 30 days as
discipline reciprocal to that imposed by the Supreme Court of
Minnesota. Upon our review of the matter, we accept the
stipulation and suspend Attorney Overson's license to practice
No. 2024AP1179-D
law in Wisconsin for a period of 30 days. Because the parties
were able to resolve this matter without the need for
appointment of a referee, no costs will be imposed.
¶2 Attorney Overson was admitted to practice law in
Wisconsin in 2018. He is also admitted to practice law in
Minnesota. On August 31, 2020, the Minnesota Office of Lawyers
Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Disciplinary
Action against Attorney Overson. On February 23, 2024, the
Supreme Court of Minnesota ordered that Attorney Overson's
license to practice law in Minnesota be suspended for a minimum
of 30 days for knowingly making a misleading statement to a
court during a hearing and subsequently failing to correct his
misleading statement.
¶3 On June 18, 2024, the OLR filed a complaint and motion
alleging that Attorney Overson was subject to reciprocal
discipline by virtue of the suspension of his law license in
Minnesota pursuant to SCR 22.22. The OLR also alleged that
Attorney Overson violated SCR 22.22(1) by failing to notify OLR
of the suspension of his Minnesota license to practice law
within 20 days of the effective date.
¶4 On July 25, 2024, Attorney Overson and the OLR filed a
stipulation agreeing that by virtue of his Minnesota suspension,
he is subject to reciprocal discipline in Wisconsin. Attorney
Overson agrees that it would be appropriate for this court to
suspend his Wisconsin law license for a period of 30 days. The
parties state that the stipulation did not result from plea
bargaining. Attorney Overson does not contest the facts and
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No. 2024AP1179-D
misconduct alleged by the OLR, and he agrees to the level of
discipline sought by the OLR. Attorney Overson also represents
and verifies that he fully understands his rights to contest the
OLR's allegations of medical incapacity, to see and cross-
examine witnesses called by the OLR, to call witnesses and
present testimony and evidence on his own behalf, to require the
OLR to prove its allegations by clear, satisfactory and
convincing evidence, and to make arguments to the referee that
the OLR has failed to meet its burden of proof. In addition,
Attorney Overson states that he fully understands the
ramifications of his entry into the stipulation, that he has the
right to consult counsel, and that his entry into the
stipulation is made knowingly and voluntarily.
¶5 Upon review of the matter, we accept the stipulation.
In cases of reciprocal discipline, SCR 22.22(3) requires this
court to impose "the identical discipline" as that imposed by
the other jurisdiction unless one or more exceptions are met.
Attorney Overson does not claim that any of the exceptions apply
here. Because the Supreme Court of Minnesota imposed a 30-day
suspension of Attorney Overson's license to practice law, a 30-
day suspension of Attorney Overson's license to practice law in
Wisconsin constitutes "the identical discipline" in this case.
Because this matter was resolved by stipulation without the need
for appointment of a referee, no costs are imposed.
¶6 IT IS ORDERED that the license of Attorney Paul E.
Overson to practice law in Wisconsin is suspended for a period
of 30 days, effective October 21, 2024.
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No. 2024AP1179-D
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