OLR Compendium > Public Reprimand of Jon Evenson

Public Reprimand of Jon Evenson

2011-OLR-8

Attorney Jon Evenson (“Evenson”) is a Wisconsin attorney whose State Bar identification number is 1038314. Evenson practices law in Madison, Wisconsin. Evenson was first licensed to practice law in Wisconsin on August 23, 2001.

Attorney Evenson participated in two bar fights. The first fight took place at Paul’s Club on December 20, 2009. The other occurred at the Kollege Klub on April 24, 2010. Both incidents took place in Madison, Wisconsin. In each instance, Evenson punched a bar patron multiple times in the face, causing injuries. Evenson fled the scene after each incident.

On June 18, 2010, the Dane County District Attorney charged Evenson with two counts of Substantial Battery – With Intent to Cause Bodily Harm (Class I Felonies) in violation of Wis. Stat. § 940.19(2) (2007- 08). See State of Wisconsin v. Jonathan G. Evenson, Dane County Circuit Court Case No. 2010CF986.

On December 20, 2010, Evenson entered a no contest plea to two misdemeanor battery counts, in violation of Wis. Stat. § 940.19 (1) (2007-08) and one felony count of substantial battery with intent to cause bodily harm, in violation of Wis. Stat. § 940.19(2) (2007-08). Based on the no contest pleas on the two misdemeanor counts, the Court sentenced Evenson to 18 months probation, sentence withheld. The Court deferred adjudication on the substantial battery count. That count will be dismissed upon Evenson’s successful completion of probation.

By engaging in conduct leading to his conviction on two misdemeanor counts of battery and by entering a no contest plea on the one felony count of substantial battery with intent to cause bodily harm, Evenson 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.”

While Evenson provided telephonic notice that criminal charges were filed against him, Evenson failed to provide timely written notice to the clerk of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin and the Office of Lawyer Regulation of his conviction. Accordingly, Evenson 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, which ever first occurs.” SCR 21.15(5) is enforceable through SCR 20:8.4(f), which states, “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to violate a . . . supreme court rule . . . regulating the conduct of lawyers.”

Evenson has no prior discipline.

In accordance with SCR 22.09(3), Attorney Jon Evenson of Madison, Wisconsin is hereby publicly reprimanded.