OLR Compendium > Public Reprimand of Chad R. Taylor

Public Reprimand of Chad R. Taylor

2021-OLR 2

Chad R. Taylor is a Wisconsin-licensed attorney, admitted to practice in 1996.

Taylor was charged with four felony and four misdemeanor counts related to a single vehicle crash on July 19, 2014, that injured his wife and their 13-year-old son as passengers. State v. Taylor, Waukesha County case no. 2014CF001200.

A responding deputy observed several bystanders on scene and fire personnel tending to the injured. The deputy also observed a vehicle with extensive front end damage in the ditch on the south side of a roadway facing east. The deputy believed Taylor showed signs of intoxication. Taylor admitted to consuming four to five drinks over the course of dinner with his family, and then driving home. A witness to the crash observed a vehicle driving out of control traveling west. The vehicle then went airborne before flipping twice.

Taylor and his family were transported to a hospital. Upon arrival, Taylor performed a series of field sobriety tests. Taylor agreed to submit to a preliminary breath test, which indicated a result of 0.119 g/210L. Taylor was then placed under arrest for OWI.

Taylor did not voluntarily consent to a blood draw. Consequently, a warrant was obtained and a sample was drawn approximately four hours after the crash, which indicated a result of0.086 g/l00mL.

On March 23, 2015, pursuant to a no contest plea, Taylor was found guilty of first offense Operating While Intoxicated Causing Injury with a Minor Child in the Vehicle, an unclassified felony, contrary to Wis. Stat. §346.63(2)(a)l. Three counts were dismissed and read-in. The remaining four counts were dismissed by operation oflaw.

The court withheld sentence and placed Taylor on three years probation. Conditions of probation included 60 days in jail (beginning 03/24/15 with Huber), submission to an AODA assessment and follow through with any treatment and/or counseling, maintain absolute sobriety, and submission to random urine screens. Taylor's sentence included driver's license revocation for two years, ignition interlock device installation for two years, and attendance at a victim impact panel. He was also ordered to pay a fine and costs.

Taylor failed to timely report his felony conviction to OLR and the Supreme Court Clerk, pursuant to SCR 21.15(5). By the time of the March 23, 2015 plea and sentencing hearing, Taylor was receiving medical treatment for a series of conditions. In the fall of 2014, as instructed by his treating physician, Taylor had resigned from his job. At that time, Taylor did not anticipate returning to the practice of law, due to health reasons and his then-current medical diagnosis. Taylor became aware of the violation, and retained counsel, who reported Taylor's felony conviction to OLR by letter dated July 16, 2020.

By engaging in conduct leading to a felony conviction of first offense Operating While Intoxicated Causing Injury with a Minor Child in the Vehicle in State v. Taylor, Waukesha County case no. 2014CF001200, Taylor violated SCR 20:8.4(b), which states, "It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to... commit a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects."

By failing to notify in writing OLR and the Supreme Court Clerk within five days after his felony conviction, Taylor violated SCR 21.15(5), which states:

An attorney found guilty or convicted of any crime on or after July 1, 2002, shall notify in writing the office of lawyer regulation and the clerk of the Supreme Court within 5 days after the finding or conviction, whichever first occurs. The notice shall include the identity of the attorney, the date of finding or conviction, the offenses, and the jurisdiction. An attorney's failure to notify the office of lawyer regulation and clerk of the supreme court of being found guilty or his or her conviction is misconduct.

SCR 21.15(5) is enforced under the Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys via SCR 20:8.4(f), which states, "It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to... violate a statute, supreme court rule, supreme court order or supreme court decision regulating the conduct of lawyers."

Taylor has no prior discipline.

In accordance with SCR 22.09(3), Attorney Taylor is hereby publicly reprimanded. Dated this 6th day of April, 2021.