757.293(2)
(2) A member of the state bar shall maintain and preserve for at least 6 years complete records pertaining to client's funds or assets received by him or her which are required to be distributed or segregated by
sub. (1). The records shall include his or her trust fund checkbooks and the stubs or copies thereof, statements of the account, vouchers and canceled checks or share drafts thereon or microfilm copies thereof and his or her account books showing dates, amounts and ownership of all deposits to and withdrawals by check or share draft or otherwise from the accounts, and all of the records shall be deemed to have public aspects as related to such member's fitness to practice law. Upon request of the board of attorneys professional responsibility, or upon direction of the supreme court, the records shall be submitted to the board for its inspection, audit, use and evidence under such conditions to protect the privilege of clients as the court may provide. The records, or an audit thereof, shall be produced at any disciplinary proceeding involving the attorney wherever material. Failure to produce the records shall constitute unprofessional conduct and grounds for disciplinary action.
757.293(3)
(3) A member of the state bar of Wisconsin shall file with the state bar annually, with payment of the member's state bar dues or upon such other date as approved by the supreme court, a certificate stating whether the member is engaged in the private practice of law in Wisconsin and, if so, the name of each bank, trust company, credit union, savings bank or savings and loan association in which the member maintains a trust account, safe deposit box, or both, as required by this section. A partnership or professional legal corporation may file one certificate on behalf of its partners, associates, or officers who are required to file under this section. The failure of a member to file the certificate required by this section is grounds for automatic suspension of the member's membership in the state bar in the same manner as provided in section 6 of rule 2 of the Rules of the State Bar of Wisconsin for nonpayment of dues. The filing of a false certificate is unprofessional conduct and is grounds for disciplinary action. The state bar shall supply to each member, with the annual dues statement or at such other time as directed by the supreme court, a form on which the certification must be made and a copy of this section.
Effective date note
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 48 Wis. 2d vii (1970); Sup. Ct. Order, 74 Wis. 2d ix, xvii (1976);
1977 c. 187 s.
96;
1977 c. 272; Stats. 1977 s. 757.293; Sup. Ct. Order, eff. 1-1-80;
1981 c. 319;
1983 a. 369;
1991 a. 221.
Effective date note
NOTE: The Sup. Ct. Order dated 12-11-79, eff. 1-1-80, states in section 5 that this section is repealed as an equivalent provision is contained in the Supreme Court Rules. See
SCR 20:1.15. Section 757.293 is shown as affected by ch. 319, laws of 1981,
1983 Wis. Act 369 and
1991 Wis. Act 221.
757.293 Annotation
The issuance by an attorney of 49 checks drawn upon his clients' trust account within a 13-month period—some for personal purposes or for loans to others, and all dishonored by the bank for lack of sufficient funds—constituted unprofessional conduct for which he is suspended from the practice of law for one year and ordered to pay up to $500 of the costs of this proceeding. State v. Stoveken,
68 Wis. 2d 716,
229 N.W.2d 224.
757.295(1)(1)
Soliciting legal business. Except as provided under
SCR 20:7.1 to 20:7.5, no person may solicit legal matters or a retainer, written or oral, or any agreement authorizing an attorney to perform or render legal services.
757.295(2)
(2) Solicitation of a retainer for an attorney. Except as provided under
SCR 20:7.1 to 20:7.5, no person may communicate directly or indirectly with any attorney or person acting in the attorney's behalf for the purpose of aiding, assisting or abetting the attorney in the solicitation of legal matters or the procurement through solicitation of a retainer, written or oral, or any agreement authorizing the attorney to perform or render legal services.
757.295(3)
(3) Employment by attorney of person to solicit legal matters. Except as provided under
SCR 20:7.1 to 20:7.5, no attorney may employ any person for the purpose of soliciting legal matters or the procurement through solicitation of a retainer, written or oral, or of any agreement authorizing the attorney to perform or render legal services.
757.295(4)
(4) Penalty. Any person guilty of any violation of this section shall be imprisoned not more than 6 months or fined not exceeding $500.
757.295 History
History: 1977 c. 187 s.
96;
1977 c. 273,
357;
1977 c. 447 ss.
190,
210; Stats. 1977 s. 757.295;
1985 a. 135;
1997 a. 35.
757.295 Annotation
Solicitation may be barred even though "speech" is component of that activity. Ohralik v. Ohio State Bar Assn.
436 U.S. 447 (1978).
757.30
757.30
Penalty for practicing without license. 757.30(1)(1) Every person, who without having first obtained a license to practice law as an attorney of a court of record in this state, as provided by law, practices law within the meaning of
sub. (2), or purports to be licensed to practice law as an attorney within the meaning of
sub. (3), shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $500 or imprisoned not more than one year in the county jail or both, and in addition may be punished as for a contempt.
757.30(2)
(2) Every person who appears as agent, representative or attorney, for or on behalf of any other person, or any firm, partnership, association or corporation in any action or proceeding in or before any court of record, court commissioner, or judicial tribunal of the United States, or of any state, or who otherwise, in or out of court, for compensation or pecuniary reward gives professional legal advice not incidental to his or her usual or ordinary business, or renders any legal service for any other person, or any firm, partnership, association or corporation, shall be deemed to be practicing law within the meaning of this section.
757.30(3)
(3) Every person who uses the words attorney at law, lawyer, solicitor, counselor, attorney and counselor, proctor, law, law office, or other equivalent words in connection with his or her name or any sign, advertisement, business card, letterhead, circular, notice, or other writing, document or design, the evident purpose of which is to induce others to believe or understand the person to be authorized to practice law or who in any other manner represents himself or herself either verbally or in writing, directly or indirectly, as authorized to practice law in this state, shall be deemed to be purporting to be licensed to practice law as an attorney within the meaning of this section.
757.30(4)
(4) No person shall practice law in this state under any other given name or any other surname than that under which originally admitted to the bar of this or any other state, in any instance in which the board of bar examiners shall, after a hearing, find that practicing under the changed name operates to unfairly compete with another practitioner or to mislead the public as to identity or to otherwise result in detriment to the profession or the public. Any person violating this subsection shall be subject to the penalty provided in
sub. (1). This subsection does not apply to a change of name resulting from marriage or divorce.
757.30 History
History: 1977 c. 26;
1977 c. 187 s.
96; Stats. 1977 s. 757.30;
1979 c. 98;
1991 a. 32,
39;
1993 a. 490.
757.30 Annotation
Where record did not indicate that tenant union would provide inadequate, unethical or complex legal advice to tenants, tenant union information service is protected by free speech guarantees. Hopper v. Madison,
79 Wis. 2d 120,
256 N.W.2d 139.
757.30 Annotation
A nonlawyer may not sign and file a notice of appeal on behalf of a corporation. To do so constitutes practicing law without a license in violation of s. 757.30 and voids the appeal. Requiring a lawyer to represent a corporation in filing the notice does not violate constitutional guarantees of equal protection, due process or the right of any suitor to prosecute or defend a suit personally. Jadair Inc. v. United States Fire Insurance Co.
209 Wis. 2d 187,
561 N.W.2d 718 (1997).
757.30 Annotation
Section 799.06 (2) authorizes a non-lawyer employee to represent a party to a small claims action at the appellate as well as trial court level and is an exception to the rule stated in Jadair. Holz v. Busy Bees Contracting, Inc.
223 Wis. 2d 598,
589 N.W.2d 633 (Ct. App. 1998).
757.30 Annotation
Officers and employees of a bank are not illegally practicing law where they fill out lease forms which have been designed and prepared by the attorney representing the owner of the property being leased under a property management agreement between the owner and the bank. 60 Atty. Gen. 114.
757.30 Annotation
Drafting of articles of incorporation constitutes the practice of law within meaning of (2). 65 Atty. Gen. 173.
757.30 AnnotationSub. (2) is inapplicable to practice in federal courts. United States v. Peterson,
550 F.2d 379.
757.30 Annotation
Nonlawyer Practice: An Expanding Role. Tenenbaum Wis. Law. Nov. 1994..
757.34
757.34
Attorney not to be bail, etc. No attorney practicing in this state shall be taken as bail or security on any undertaking, bond or recognizance in any action or proceeding, civil or criminal, nor shall any practicing attorney become surety on any bond or recognizance for any sheriff, constable, clerk of court or municipal judge.
757.34 History
History: 1977 c. 187 s.
96;
1977 c. 305 s.
64; Stats. 1977 s. 757.34.
757.35
757.35
Blank process to attorneys. The clerks of the courts of record may deliver to any attorney of their courts, in blank, any and all processes which may be requisite for the prosecution of or carrying on any action or special proceeding in such courts, or the enforcement of any order or judgment therein. All processes, so delivered, shall be signed by the clerk officially and have the seal of the court impressed thereon and may be completed by the attorney, and shall have the same force as if the same were perfected by the clerk.
757.35 History
History: 1977 c. 187 s.
96; Stats. 1977 s. 757.35.
757.36
757.36
Lien on proceeds of action to enforce cause of action. Any person having or claiming a right of action, sounding in tort or for unliquidated damages on contract, may contract with any attorney to prosecute the action and give the attorney a lien upon the cause of action and upon the proceeds or damages derived in any action brought for the enforcement of the cause of action, as security for fees in the conduct of the litigation; when such agreement is made and notice thereof given to the opposite party or his or her attorney, no settlement or adjustment of the action may be valid as against the lien so created, provided the agreement for fees is fair and reasonable. This section shall not be construed as changing the law in respect to champertous contracts.
757.36 History
History: 1977 c. 187 s.
96; Stats. 1977 s. 757.36.
757.36 Annotation
An allegation of a retainer is not sufficient to imply an agreement for a lien; even where a written retainer agreement exists, there must be separate proof of a lien agreement. Weigel v. Grimmett,
173 Wis. 2d 263,
496 N.W.2d 206 (Ct. App. 1992).
757.36 Annotation
This section does not create an attorney's lien on settlement proceeds in the absence of a contractual lien; if the contract is breached by the attorney an alternative lien is not created. McBride v. Wausau Ins. Co.
176 Wis. 2d 382,
500 N.W.2d 387 (Ct. App. 1993).
757.37
757.37
When action settled by parties, what proof to enforce lien. If any such cause of action is settled by the parties thereto after judgment has been procured without notice to the attorney claiming the lien, the lien may be enforced and it shall only be required to prove the facts of the agreement by which the lien was given, notice to the opposite party or his or her attorney and the rendition of the judgment, and if any such settlement of the cause of action is had or effected before judgment therein, then it shall only be necessary to enforce the lien to prove the agreement creating the same, notice to the opposite party or his or her attorney and the amount for which the case was settled, which shall be the basis for the lien and it shall not be necessary to prove up the original cause of action in order to enforce the lien and suit.
757.37 History
History: 1977 c. 187 s.
96; Stats. 1977 s. 757.37.
757.37 Annotation
That an insurance company knew an attorney was working on a case did not mean the insurance company had notice that the attorney had a lien. Gerald R. Turner & Assoc. S. C. v. Moriarty,
25 F.3d 1356 (1994).
757.38
757.38
Consent of attorney in settlement of actions for personal injuries. No settlement or adjustment of any action which shall have been commenced to recover damages for any personal injury or for the death as a result of any personal injury in which an attorney shall have appeared for the person or persons having or claiming a right of action for such injury or death shall be valid, unless consented to in writing by such attorney or by an order of the court in which said action is brought approving of such settlement or adjustment.
757.38 History
History: 1977 c. 187 s.
96; Stats. 1977 s. 757.38.
757.39
757.39
Judges may direct calendars to be printed. The judges of the several courts of record having civil jurisdiction may, in their discretion, direct the respective clerks thereof to prepare printed calendars of the causes to be heard at the several terms, which shall be in the form and contain such matter as the judge may direct. The expense of the printing shall be paid out of the county treasury.
757.39 History
History: 1977 c. 187 s.
96; Stats. 1977 s. 757.39.
757.40
757.40
Law library. Any circuit judge may, whenever he or she deems it desirable, purchase or direct the clerk of the circuit court for any county in his or her circuit to purchase law books and subscribe for the periodical reports of any of the courts of the several states or territories or of the United States, for any county in his or her circuit, provided the cost of the books and reports, including pocket parts and continuing services, shall not exceed $1,500 for any county in one year, unless the board of supervisors of the county authorizes the expenditure of a larger sum. Whenever the purchase or subscription is made the clerk shall have each volume of books received stamped or branded with the name of the county and take charge of the same for the use of the courts, judges, attorneys and officers thereof. The cost of the volumes shall be paid by the county treasurer upon the presentation to him or her of the accounts therefor, certified to by the clerk of the circuit court and the circuit judge.
757.40 History
History: 1977 c. 187 s.
96; Stats. 1977 s. 757.40.
757.41
757.41
Law library; Milwaukee County. 757.41(1)
(1) The county board of any county having a population of 250,000 or more may acquire by gift, purchase or otherwise, a law library and law books, and shall house the law library and additions in the courthouse or in suitable quarters elsewhere, and may make, and enforce by suitable penalties, rules and regulations for the custody, care and preservation of the books and other property contained in that library. The county board shall provide reasonable compensation for the law librarian and such assistants as are necessary for the proper care and maintenance of the library. Except as provided in
sub. (2), the librarian and assistants shall be appointed as the county board determines, under
ss. 63.01 to
63.17. The librarian shall perform all of the duties imposed by
s. 757.40 upon the clerk of the circuit court of the county in which the library is located and that clerk has no responsibility under
s. 757.40. The purchase of additional law books, legal publications, periodicals and works of reference for the library may be directed by each of the circuit judges of the county under
s. 757.40. The library shall be kept open every day throughout the year, except Sundays and holidays, for such hours as the county board directs, but the county board may determine by ordinance that the library be closed on Saturdays. Attorneys and the general public shall be permitted to use the books in the library in the building housing the library under rules and regulations adopted by the county board.
757.41(2)
(2) In any county with a population of 500,000 or more, the librarian shall be appointed in the unclassified service by the county executive, subject to confirmation by the county board. The librarian may be dismissed at any time by the county executive with the concurrence of a majority of the members-elect of the county board or by a majority of the members-elect of the county board with the concurrence of the county executive. If the county executive vetoes an action by the county board dismissing the librarian, the county board may override the veto by a two-thirds vote of its members-elect. Assistants shall be appointed as the county board determines, under
ss. 63.01 to
63.17.
757.41 History
History: 1971 c. 111;
1977 c. 187 ss.
96,
135; Stats. 1977 s. 757.41;
1987 a. 48.
757.45
757.45
Sharing of compensation by attorneys prohibited. It is unlawful for any person to divide with or receive from, or to agree to divide with or receive from, any attorney or group of attorneys, whether practicing in this state or elsewhere, either before or after action brought, any portion of any fee or compensation, charged or received by such attorney or any valuable consideration or reward, as an inducement for placing or in consideration of having placed, in the hands of such attorney, or in the hands of another person, a claim or demand of any kind for the purpose of collecting such claim, or bringing an action thereon, or of representing claimant in the pursuit of any civil remedy for the recovery thereof; but this section does not apply to an agreement between attorneys and counselors at law when associated in the conduct of legal matters to divide between themselves the compensation to be received. Any person violating this section shall be fined not to exceed $500 or imprisoned not to exceed 6 months.
757.45 History
History: 1977 c. 187 s.
96; Stats. 1977 s. 757.45.
757.46
757.46
Reporter not to take statements of injured persons. No phonographic reporter for any court of record in the state of Wisconsin or any of his or her assistants may be employed by any person or corporation to take the statement of any injured or other person in any way relating to the manner in which the person was injured or killed or the extent of personal injuries, and any reporter or assistant violating this section shall be removed and shall not be permitted to testify in any court concerning any such statement taken in violation of this section. The taking, transcribing or reporting testimony given by deposition or otherwise according to law, is not prohibited by this section.
757.46 History
History: 1977 c. 187 s.
96; Stats. 1977 s. 757.46.
757.47
757.47
Taxes of this state enforced in other states. 757.47(1)(1) The courts of this state shall recognize and enforce the liability for taxes lawfully imposed by the laws of any other state which extends a like comity in respect of the liability for taxes lawfully imposed by the laws of this state, and the officials of such other state are authorized to bring action in the courts of this state for the collection of such taxes. The certificate of the secretary of state of such other state that such officials have the authority to collect the taxes sought to be collected by such action shall be conclusive proof of that authority.
757.47(2)
(2) The attorney general is empowered to bring action in the courts of other states to collect taxes legally due the state.
757.47(3)
(3) The term "taxes" as herein employed shall include:
757.47(3)(a)
(a) Any and all tax assessments lawfully made whether they be based upon a return or other disclosure of the taxpayer, upon the information and belief of the taxing authority, or otherwise.
757.47(3)(b)
(b) Any and all penalties lawfully imposed pursuant to a taxing statute.
757.47(3)(c)
(c) Interest charges lawfully added to the tax liability which constitutes the subject of the action.
757.47 History
History: 1977 c. 187 s.
96; Stats. 1977 s. 757.47.
757.48
757.48
Guardian ad litem must be an attorney. 757.48(1)(a)(a) Except as provided in
s. 879.23 (4), in all matters in which a guardian ad litem is appointed by the court, the guardian ad litem shall be an attorney admitted to practice in this state. In order to be appointed as a guardian ad litem under
s. 767.045, an attorney shall have completed 3 hours of approved continuing legal education relating to the functions and duties of a guardian ad litem under
ch. 767.
757.48(1)(b)
(b) The guardian ad litem shall be allowed reasonable compensation for his or her services such as is customarily charged by attorneys in this state for comparable services. If the court orders a county to pay the compensation of the guardian ad litem, the amount ordered may not exceed the compensation paid to private attorneys under
s. 977.08 (4m) (b). If the attorney of record is also the guardian ad litem, the attorney shall be entitled only to attorney fees and shall receive no compensation for services as guardian ad litem.
757.48(2)
(2) If the statutes do not specify how the fee of the guardian ad litem is paid, the ward shall pay such fee. The court may, however, in cases involving real or personal property in which the ward claims or may have a right or interest, order payment out of such property.
757.48(3)
(3) No guardian ad litem may be permitted to receive any money or property of his or her ward, nor may any bond be required of a guardian ad litem, but all money or property of his or her ward may be paid or delivered to a general guardian of his or her property subject to the exceptions of
s. 880.04.
757.48(4)
(4) No person shall be appointed guardian ad litem for a plaintiff without the written consent of the person appointed.
757.48 History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 50 Wis. 2d vii (1971)
1971 c. 211;
1977 c. 187 s.
96;
1977 c. 299,
447; Stats. 1977 s. 757.48;
1987 a. 355;
1993 a. 16;
1995 a. 27.
757.48 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See s.
879.23 (4) for parent as guardian in probate matters.
757.48 Annotation
Comment of Judicial Council, 1971: A guardian ad litem shall: (1) Be an attorney and be allowed reasonable compensation as is customarily charged by attorneys for comparable services. If the attorney of record is also the guardian ad litem, only one fee is allowed. (2) Be compensated by the ward or out of the ward's property. (3) Not be permitted to receive any money or property of the ward. (4) Not be appointed for a plaintiff without the appointed person's consent. Subsection (1) is in present law; subs. (3) and (4) are the same as present law. [Re Order effective July 1, 1971]
757.48 Annotation
Sub. (1) (a) is void as unconstitutional violation of separation of powers; it interferes with judiciary's exclusive authority to regulate practice of law. Fiedler v. Wisconsin Senate,
155 Wis. 2d 94,
454 N.W.2d 770 (1990).
757.48 Annotation
The courts' power to appropriate compensation for court-appointed counsel is necessary for the effective operation of the judicial system. In ordering compensation for court ordered attorneys, a court should abide by the s. 977.08 (4m) rate when it can retain qualified and effective counsel at that rate, but should order compensation at the rate under
SCR 81.01 or 81.02 or a higher rate when necessary to secure effective counsel. Friedrich v. Dane County Circuit Ct.
192 Wis. 2d 1,
531 N.W.2d 32 (1995).
757.52
757.52
Guardian ad litem for persons not in being or unascertainable. In any action or proceeding the court may appoint a guardian ad litem for persons not in being or presently unascertainable, if the court has reason to believe that such appointment is necessary to protect the interests of such persons.
757.52 History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 50 Wis. 2d vii (1971);
1977 c. 187 s.
96; Stats. 1977 s. 757.52;
1985 a. 29 s.
3202 (23);
1993 a. 326.
757.52 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: Compare s.
701.15 concerning guardians in trust matters.
757.52 Annotation
Comment of Judicial Council, 1971: Guardian ad litem for unborn child. (Clarification) [Re Order effective July 1, 1971]
757.54
757.54
Retention and disposal of court records. The retention and disposal of all court records and exhibits in any civil or criminal action or proceeding or probate proceeding of any nature in a court of record shall be determined by the supreme court by rule.
757.54 History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 136 Wis. 2d xi (1987).
757.55
757.55
Reporting testimony. The supreme court shall determine, by rule, the civil and criminal actions and proceedings which shall be reported.
757.55 History
History: 1981 c. 353.
757.57(2)(2) In any criminal action or proceeding the court may order, and when required by
s. 973.08 the court shall order, a transcript of the testimony and proceedings to be made and certified by the reporter and filed with the clerk of court. Certified duplicates of transcripts prepared in compliance with
s. 973.08 shall be filed with the warden or superintendent of the institution to which sentenced persons have been committed. The cost of the transcript is prescribed in
s. 814.69 (1). In case of application for a pardon or commutation of sentence the duplicate transcript shall accompany the application.
757.57(5)
(5) Except as provided in
SCR 71.04 (4), every reporter, upon the request of any party to an action or proceeding, shall make a typewritten transcript, and as many copies thereof as the party requests, of the testimony and proceedings reported by him or her in the action or proceeding, or any part thereof specified by the party, the transcript and each copy thereof to be duly certified by him or her to be a correct transcript thereof. For the transcripts the reporter is entitled to receive the fees prescribed in
s. 814.69 (1) (b).
Effective date note
History: 1977 c. 187 s.
96; Stats. 1977 s. 757.57;
1979 c. 32 s.
92 (4); Sup. Ct. Order, eff. 1-1-80;
1981 c. 317,
353,
389;
1987 a. 403 s.
256;
1995 a. 27.
Effective date note
NOTE: This section was repealed by Sup. Ct. Order dated 12-11-79, eff. 1-1-80. Subsequent legislative acts repealed and recreated subs. (2) and (5) and repealed subs. (3), (7) and (8). See
SCR ch. 71.
757.60
757.60
Judicial administrative districts. The state is divided into judicial administrative districts for the purpose of administering the court system. Each district includes all the circuit courts within the district. The judicial administrative districts are as follows:
757.60(1)
(1) The 1st district consists of Milwaukee County.
757.60(2)
(2) The 2nd district consists of Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties.
757.60(3)
(3) The 3rd district consists of Jefferson, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties.
757.60(4)
(4) The 4th district consists of Calumet, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Sheboygan and Winnebago counties.
