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ATTORNEY disciplinary
proceeding. Attorney's license
revoked.
¶1 PER CURIAM. This is a reciprocal
discipline matter. We review the
stipulation entered by Attorney Thomas A.
Rothstein and the Office of Lawyer
Regulation (OLR) for the imposition of
discipline reciprocal to that imposed by the
Minnesota Supreme Court. After our review
of the matter, we accept the stipulation.
By virtue of having been disbarred by the
Minnesota Supreme Court for violation of the
Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct,
Attorney Rothstein is subject to reciprocal
discipline in Wisconsin. We revoke Attorney
Rothstein's license to practice law in
Wisconsin. The OLR does not seek costs.
Accordingly, no costs will be imposed.
¶2 Attorney Rothstein was admitted to
the State Bar of Wisconsin in 1999. He was
admitted to practice law in Minnesota in
1991. On September 3, 2009, Attorney
Rothstein's Wisconsin law license became
inactive. His law license remains inactive.
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¶3 On October 14, 2009, Attorney
Rothstein pled guilty to one count of felony
theft by swindle in an amount more than
$35,000, in violation of Minn. Stat. §
609.52, subds. 2(4) and 3(1). His guilty
plea was based on his misappropriation of
funds from the law firm where he worked as a
partner. Attorney Rothstein's misconduct
violated the Minnesota Rules of Professional
Conduct. The stipulation between Attorney
Rothstein and the OLR states that by virtue
of being disbarred by the Minnesota Supreme
Court for his misconduct, Attorney Rothstein
is subject to reciprocal discipline pursuant
to SCR 22.22. Attorney Rothstein stipulates
that he does not claim any of the potential
defenses articulated in SCR 22.22(3)(a)-
(c). Attorney Rothstein stipulates to the
revocation of his license to practice law in
Wisconsin, reciprocal to the discipline
imposed in Minnesota.
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¶4 The stipulation was filed pursuant
to SCR 22.12, with the request that the
court consider the disciplinary complaint
and stipulation without the appointment of a
referee. The stipulation states it is not
the result of plea bargaining, that Attorney
Rothstein admits the facts and misconduct
alleged, and that Attorney Rothstein
verifies he fully understands the misconduct
allegations. He stipulates he fully
understands the ramifications should the
court impose the stipulated level of
discipline; he fully understands his right
to contest the matter and his right to
consult with and retain counsel. Attorney
Rothstein acknowledges he has retained
counsel and he enters into the stipulation
knowingly and voluntarily. He understands
that revocation of his law license will
result in his law license remaining revoked
until and unless he successfully petitions
for reinstatement, pursuant to the
procedures set forth in SCRs 22.29-22.33.
¶5 Upon our review of the matter, we
accept the stipulation and impose discipline
identical to that imposed by the Minnesota
Supreme Court. See SCR 22.22(3).
¶6 IT IS ORDERED that the license of
Thomas A. Rothstein to practice law in
Wisconsin is revoked, effective the date of
this order.
¶7 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Thomas A.
Rothstein 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.
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