Temporary suspension

177 (1) The supreme court, on its own motion, upon the motion of the director, or upon the motion of a special investigator acting under SCR 22.25, may suspend temporarily an attorney's license to practice law where it appears that the attorney's continued practice of law poses a threat to the interests of the public and the administration of justice. (2) Before entering an order suspending an attorney's license under sub. (1), the supreme court shall order the attorney to show cause why the license to practice law should not be suspended temporarily. The attorney shall file with the supreme court a written response to the order and serve a copy of the response on the director within the time set forth in the order. The director, or special investigator acting under SCR 22.25, may file a memorandum in support of or in opposition to the temporary license suspension within 10 days after the attorney's response is filed. Except as provided in sub. (2m) and (3), SCRs 22.03, 22.34 and 22.40, all papers, files, transcripts, communications, and investigations, are those pertaining proceedings, confidential. including to (2m) Following the issuance of the order to show cause under sub. (2), the motion under sub. (1), and the order to show cause are public information, except as follows: (a) The name of the special investigator or any person alleging that the attorney committed an act of misconduct. (b) Medical information regarding the attorney who is the subject of the order to show cause. (c) Financial information regarding the attorney who is the subject of the order to show cause, or of any person alleging the attorney committed an act of misconduct, if the financial information is unrelated to the order to show cause. (d) Information that is subject to legal privilege, including the attorney-client privilege, unless such privilege is waived in writing by the person or persons holding such privilege. (e) As otherwise expressly provided in this chapter or by law or by order of the supreme court. (3) Filing of complaint. The director, or a special investigator acting under SCR 22.25, shall file the complaint in the disciplinary proceeding within 4 months of the effective date of the temporary suspension imposed under this section, or shall show cause why the temporary suspension should continue. The respondent attorney may 178 file a response with the supreme court within 10 days of service. The statement of cause to continue the temporary suspension and the attorney's response are public information, subject to the same exceptions set forth in sub. (2m)(a) to (e). Reinstatement under this section shall not terminate any misconduct investigation or disciplinary proceeding pending against the attorney. (4) Filing of referee report. The referee appointed to conduct a hearing on the complaint shall conduct the hearing promptly and file the report required by SCR 22.16 no later than 6 months after the filing of the complaint. If the report is not filed within 6 months of the filing of the complaint, the respondent attorney may move the supreme court for reinstatement pending completion of the disciplinary proceeding. Reinstatement under this section does not terminate any misconduct investigation or disciplinary proceeding pending against the attorney.