Paperwork oversight earns Milwaukee County's top attorney temporary license suspension.

Byline: Dan Shaw, dshaw@wislawjournal.com

Alison Dirr

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The top lawyer for Milwaukee County can't practice law at the moment because of a license suspension over a missed deadlineby when she was supposed to show she had completed continuing legal-education requirements.

Corporation Counsel Margaret Daun said she failed to send in the documentation as she dealt with the coronavirus pandemic and local unrest over racial injustice in the wake of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis police custody.

Her license was suspended as of June 16, according to the Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners.

"I completed the required coursework, but did not send in the paperwork and fee on time," she said in an email addressed to clients, stakeholders and colleagues. "I am awaiting receipt of certain documents, and once received, will submit the paperwork and fees to the Wisconsin bar."

She said she expects to be reinstated around July 15 and said her staff is ensuring "zero disruption" to the function and operations of her office or the county.

In the meantime, she said she is not providing legal advice to her clients or staff until her license is reinstated.

Active lawyers in Wisconsin must complete 30 credits of continuing legal education, or CLE, every two years. They get credits from attending online and in-person courses and lectures and presentations. Three of the 30 credits must be on the topic of legal ethics.

The reporting period covers two full calendar years, and lawyers have until Feb. 1 of the third year to report their...