The Suspension of John Buran's Law License

Wisconsin attorney John Buran had his law license suspended by the Wisconsin Supreme Court following a disciplinary proceeding. The suspension resulted from conduct that violated professional responsibility rules governing attorneys in the state. This case illustrates how state bar associations enforce ethical standards and what happens when an attorney's conduct falls below those standards.

Buran's suspension is a matter of public record, and the details are available through the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the State Bar of Wisconsin. Understanding how attorney discipline works in Wisconsin can help you know what to look for if you need to verify an attorney's standing or understand why a lawyer may no longer be able to practice.

Key Takeaways

  • Attorney suspensions in Wisconsin are issued by the Wisconsin Supreme Court after a disciplinary process conducted by the State Bar of Wisconsin.
  • A suspended attorney cannot practice law or represent clients during the period of suspension, though the license is not permanently revoked.
  • You can verify an attorney's current license status by searching the State Bar of Wisconsin's attorney directory online.
  • Disciplinary records, including the reasons for suspension, are public and can be reviewed through the Wisconsin Supreme Court's website or the State Bar.

How Attorney Discipline Works in Wisconsin

The State Bar of Wisconsin investigates complaints against attorneys and determines whether conduct violates the Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules, which govern professional responsibility. If an investigation finds probable cause that an attorney violated these rules, the case moves to a disciplinary hearing before a referee or the Wisconsin Supreme Court itself.

Suspension is one of several possible outcomes. An attorney may receive a private reprimand (not public), a public reprimand, suspension for a set period, or disbarment (permanent removal). Suspension means the attorney cannot practice law during the suspension period but may petition for reinstatement once the suspension ends and conditions are met.

What Conduct Leads to Suspension

Wisconsin attorneys are bound by rules covering client trust accounts, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, honesty in dealing with clients and courts, and competence in legal work. Suspensions typically result from serious violations such as mishandling client funds, failing to communicate with clients, abandoning cases, dishonesty, or conduct that harms the public's trust in the legal profession.

Each case is fact-specific, and the Wisconsin Supreme Court considers the nature of the violation, harm to clients or the public, the attorney's disciplinary history, and mitigating or aggravating factors when deciding on discipline. The court publishes its decisions, which explain the reasoning behind the suspension.

Finding Information About Buran's Suspension

The Wisconsin Supreme Court maintains a public database of disciplinary decisions. You can search by attorney name to find the court's written opinion, which details the violations, the evidence presented, and the court's reasoning for the suspension. This document is the authoritative source for what happened and why.

The State Bar of Wisconsin also publishes disciplinary information on its website. The attorney directory allows you to search by name and shows current license status. If an attorney is suspended, the directory will reflect that status and may include a link to the disciplinary order.

Checking an Attorney's License Status Before Hiring

Before hiring any attorney, you should verify their license status through the State Bar of Wisconsin's online directory. Search by name, and the directory will show whether the attorney is in good standing, suspended, inactive, or disbarred. This takes less than a minute and protects you from unknowingly hiring someone who cannot legally practice.

If you discover an attorney you hired is suspended, you have grounds to terminate the relationship and may be may have access to to a refund of fees paid for work performed during the suspension period. You should also contact the State Bar to report the violation if the attorney continued to practice while suspended.

What Happens During a Suspension Period

A suspended attorney cannot accept new clients, represent anyone in court, provide legal information for a fee, or perform any work that requires a law license. Some suspensions are indefinite pending reinstatement conditions; others have a set end date. The attorney must notify all current clients and opposing counsel of the suspension and arrange for another attorney to take over active cases.

If a suspended attorney violates the suspension by continuing to practice, additional discipline follows, potentially including disbarment. Clients harmed by an attorney who practices while suspended may file complaints and pursue damages through the State Bar's client security fund in some cases.

Reinstatement After Suspension

An attorney seeking reinstatement after suspension must petition the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The petition must show that the conditions for reinstatement have been met, which may include completion of ethics training, payment of restitution to harmed clients, proof of rehabilitation, or other requirements set by the court in the original suspension order.

The court may grant reinstatement, deny it, or condition reinstatement on additional requirements. Reinstatement is not automatic, and the court considers whether the attorney poses a risk to the public. Some attorneys never seek reinstatement and leave the profession.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a suspended attorney still give legal information to friends or family?

No. A suspension prohibits all practice of law, including unpaid information. The only exception is that a suspended attorney may handle their own legal matters. Providing information to others, even without charging a fee, violates the suspension and can result in additional discipline.

How long does a typical attorney suspension last?

Suspension lengths vary widely depending on the violation and circumstances. Some suspensions last months, others years. The Wisconsin Supreme Court's order specifies the duration or conditions for reinstatement. You can find this information in the court's published disciplinary decision.

What should I do if I hired an attorney who was later suspended?

Contact the State Bar of Wisconsin when ready to report the situation. If you paid fees for work done after the suspension began, you may be may have access to to a refund. The State Bar can advise you on your options and help you find another attorney to take over your case if needed.

Is suspension the same as disbarment?

No. Suspension is temporary; the attorney cannot practice during the suspension period but may seek reinstatement afterward. Disbarment is permanent removal from the profession. An attorney who is disbarred cannot practice law again in Wisconsin unless the Wisconsin Supreme Court later reverses the disbarment, which is rare.

Where can I read the full details of why Buran was suspended?

The Wisconsin Supreme Court publishes all disciplinary decisions on its website. Search for the case by attorney name or case number. The published opinion explains the violations, evidence, and reasoning. You can also contact the State Bar of Wisconsin directly for information about specific disciplinary cases.