¶3 Attorney Woods was admitted to practice law in Wisconsin in 1965 and has practiced in Oconto Falls. Attorney Woods has a lengthy disciplinary history; his license is currently suspended. In In re the Disciplinary Proceedings Against Woods, 2009 WI 7, 315 Wis. 2d 282, 759 N.W.2d 322, a one-year suspension was imposed to run consecutively to an August 2008 90-day suspension. In that case, Attorney Woods' misconduct included the failure to file timely and serve a personal injury lawsuit before the statute of limitations expired resulting in the dismissal with prejudice; failure to inform his client of a dismissal motion and hearing; failure to inform his client of the dismissal with prejudice; failure to explain to his client the effects of the dismissal; failure to respond to successor counsel's requests for the client's file; dishonesty in failing to inform his client of the dismissal of the lawsuit; and failure to file state income taxes.

¶4 Effective August 11, 2008, the court imposed a 90-day suspension for Attorney Woods' failure to file an amended bankruptcy plan and budget by the deadline, leading to the dismissal of a bankruptcy petition; failure to inform his client of the status and advise his client to comply with court orders; conflict of interest; and failure to return advanced fees. In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Woods, 2008 WI 79, 311 Wis. 2d 213, 751 N.W.2d 840.

¶5 In 2003 Attorney Woods received a consensual public reprimand for failure to act with reasonable diligence; failure to keep a client reasonably informed; failure to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary; failure to communicate the basis or rate of the fee; failure to reduce a contingency fee agreement to writing; and failure to take steps reasonably practicable to protect the client's interests. Public Reprimand of Terrence Woods, 2003 11. See also In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Woods, 221 Wis. 2d 230, 583 Wis. 2d 650 (1998) (60-day suspension for failure to provide adequate representation and failure to act with reasonable diligence); In re Disciplinary Proceedings Against Woods, 216 Wis. 2d 137, 573 N.W.2d 838 (1998) (60-day suspension for failure to keep a client reasonably informed; failure to promptly comply with reasonable requests for information; failure to surrender property to which the client was entitled; failure to act with reasonable diligence; failure to cooperate with the investigation; and for making a misrepresentation in a disclosure to the Board of Attorneys Professional Responsibility); Private Reprimand of Terrence Woods, 1996-1 (failure to confer with a client about case settlement; failure to keep the client reasonably informed; and failure to return the client's property); and Public Reprimand of Terrence Woods, 1993- 2 (failure to provide competent representation; failure to act with reasonable diligence; failure to keep the client reasonably informed; and failure to take reasonable steps to protect the client's interests upon the termination of representation).

¶6 In the instant proceedings, the referee found V.S. was served with a summons and complaint on May 24, 2008. Attorney Woods had represented V.S. previously and they had an ongoing attorney-client relationship. By at least June 12, 2008, Attorney Woods had agreed to represent V.S. in the lawsuit and had met with him to discuss the case. However, Attorney Woods failed to file a timely answer to the complaint and did not timely seek an extension from the court or opposing counsel.

¶7 Opposing counsel declined to agree to an extension and sought a default judgment against V.S. On June 26, 2008, Attorney Woods filed a notice of retainer, answer, affirmative defenses, and counterclaim with the circuit court clerk.

¶8 At the July 22, 2008, hearing on plaintiff's motion for default judgment, Attorney Woods appeared on behalf of V.S. and misrepresented to the court that V.S. had hired him on or about June 18, 2008, after the deadline for filing an answer had passed. On July 23, 2008, the court issued a default judgment against V.S. and his wife in the amount of $10,124.47.

¶9 Following the entry of a default judgment, Attorney Woods took no further action on behalf of V.S. Ultimately V.S. retained new counsel.

¶10 Meanwhile, on June 27, 2008, V.S. had been charged with two traffic violations and hired Attorney Woods to represent him. The circuit court scheduled trial on both traffic cases for August 11, 2008. V.S. did not receive a copy of the hearing notice and Attorney Woods did not advise V.S. of the hearing date.

¶11 On July 8, 2008, this court issued a decision suspending Attorney Woods' law license for 90 days, effective August 11, 2008. See Woods, 311 Wis. 2d 213. Attorney Woods prepared a letter informing his clients he was subject to discipline and suspended from the practice of law for 90 days. He advised his clients to seek other legal counsel. Although the letter was dated August 6, 2008, it was not mailed until August 11, 2008.

¶12 Attorney Woods called V.S. the morning of August 11, 2008, regarding the hearing in the two traffic cases. V.S. said he could not possibly make the hearing on such short notice and had other commitments. Attorney Woods indicated he would request a continuance. Attorney Woods thereafter called the circuit court and faxed a letter to the court indicating he was subject to discipline and requesting the matter be postponed for one month.

¶16 By failing to notify his client by certified mail and to provide appropriate written notice to opposing counsel of his suspension, the referee concluded Attorney Woods violated SCR 22.26(1), enforceable through SCR 20:8.4(f) and, by failing to make such disclosure, as well as by failing to timely advise his client of the trial date for the traffic cases, the referee concluded Attorney Woods violated SCRs 20:1.4 (a)(3) and 20:1.4(b) (communication).

¶20 We determine the seriousness of Attorney Woods' misconduct, together with his extensive disciplinary history, warrants a six-month license suspension, effective the date of this order. Because Attorney Woods' extensive disciplinary history is an aggravating factor, we conclude he is not entitled to any leniency. We generally do not favor a retroactive suspension, see Boyd, 318 Wis. 2d 281, and do not impose a retroactive suspension here. In light of Attorney Woods' extensive disciplinary history, a retroactive suspension would not serve the objectives of lawyer discipline, which include the important goal of deterrence. See Woods, 311 Wis. 2d 213, ¶22. We are satisfied no compelling circumstances justify a retroactive suspension.

¶21 Full costs are imposed. Attorney Woods has filed no objection to the OLR's statement of costs and the record reveals no extraordinary circumstances to justify the reduction of costs.

¶22 IT IS ORDERED that Terrence J. Woods' license to practice law in Wisconsin is suspended for a period of six months, effective the date of this order.

¶23 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within 60 days of the date of this order Terrence J. Woods pay to the Office of Lawyer Regulation the costs of this proceeding. If the costs are not paid within the time specified and absent a showing to this court of his inability to pay the costs within that time, the license of Terrence J. Woods shall remain suspended until further order of the court.