OLR Compendium > Disciplinary Proceedings Against Nielsen

Disciplinary Proceedings Against Nielsen

2013 WI 102, 12/20/2013 (2013)

ATTORNEY disciplinary proceeding. Attorney's license revoked.

¶1 PER CURIAM. This is a reciprocal discipline matter. We review the stipulation entered by Attorney Yuri Bernard Nielsen and the Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) for the imposition of discipline reciprocal to that imposed by the Supreme Court of Arizona. After our review of the matter, we accept the stipulation. By virtue of having been disbarred by the Supreme Court of Arizona for professional misconduct, Attorney Nielsen is subject to reciprocal discipline in Wisconsin pursuant to SCR 22.22. We revoke Attorney Nielsen's license to practice law in Wisconsin. The OLR does not seek costs, and no costs will be imposed in this matter.

¶2 Attorney Nielsen was admitted to practice law in Wisconsin in 2005. He was also admitted to practice law in Arizona. His current Wisconsin license status is "active" and in "good standing."

¶3 On May 2, 2013, the Supreme Court of Arizona disbarred Attorney Nielsen for misappropriation of trust funds and failure to provide an accounting of trust accounts and related client records. The Supreme Court of Arizona found that these actions violated Rule 42, ERs 1.3, 1.4, 1.15, 8.1, 8.4(c), along with various sections of Rule 43 and Rule 54 of the Arizona Rules of the Supreme Court.

¶4 On August 5, 2013, the OLR filed a complaint alleging that, by virtue of the Arizona disbarment, Attorney Nielsen was subject to reciprocal discipline in Wisconsin. On September 25, 2013, pursuant to SCR 22.12 the OLR and Attorney Nielsen entered into a stipulation whereby they stipulated to the revocation of Attorney Nielsen's license to practice law in Wisconsin, reciprocal to the discipline imposed in Arizona.

¶5 Attorney Nielsen agrees that the facts alleged in the OLR's complaint and the documents from the Arizona proceeding attached thereto form a basis for the discipline requested. The parties aver that the stipulation did not result from plea bargaining. Attorney Nielsen states that he does not contest the facts and misconduct alleged by the OLR, or the discipline that the OLR director is seeking in this matter. Attorney Nielsen states that he fully understands the misconduct allegations; he fully understands the ramifications should the court impose the stipulated level of discipline; he fully understands his right to contest this matter; he fully understands his right to consult with counsel; his entry into the stipulation is made knowingly and voluntarily; and his entry into the stipulation represents his decision not to contest the misconduct alleged in the complaint or the level and type of discipline sought by the OLR's director.

¶6 Upon our review of the matter, we accept the stipulation and impose discipline identical to that imposed by the Supreme Court of Arizona.

¶7 IT IS ORDERED that the license of Yuri Bernard Nielsen to practice law in Wisconsin is revoked, effective the date of this order.

¶8 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Yuri Bernard Nielsen shall comply with the provisions of SCR 22.26 concerning the duties of a person whose license to practice law in Wisconsin has been revoked.

¶9 ANNETTE KINGSLAND ZIEGLER, J., did not participate.