WI · rules
SCR 21.08
Referees
(1) The referee panel consists of no more than 15 lawyers and
reserve judges appointed by the supreme court. Referees shall be
members of the State Bar of Wisconsin in good standing. Referees
serve staggered four-year terms. A referee may be reappointed to serve
consecutive terms. If a referee's term ends while an assigned matter
remains pending, the referee may oversee completion of the matter
unless, on its own motion or on motion of the parties, the supreme court
directs the appointment of a new referee.
(2) Referees function under the supervision of the supreme court.
(3) The duties of a referee are:
(a) To preside over and conduct hearings on complaints of
attorney misconduct, on petitions alleging attorney medical incapacity,
and on petitions for license reinstatement, and to issue orders necessary
to advance the proceeding.
(b) To make written findings, conclusions, and
recommendations, and to submit them to the supreme court for review
and appropriate action.
(c) To review consensual discipline under SCR 22.09.
(d) To conduct hearings, make written findings, conclusions, and
recommendations on other matters as the supreme court may direct.
(4) Referees shall function pursuant to the procedures set forth in
SCR chapter 22.
(5) Each referee shall participate in mandatory referee training
developed by the office of judicial education, as follows:
(a) Each newly appointed referee shall attend the earliest one-half day new referee orientation seminar offered following his or her
appointment, unless a period of extension is granted by the office of
judicial education, upon prior application by the referee. A referee
reappointed to serve a consecutive term need not repeat the new referee
orientation seminar.
(b) Each referee shall attend a one-half day referee training
seminar every two years during the referee's four-year term when
offered by the office of judicial education.
(c) If a referee fails to comply with the mandatory referee
training, the office of judicial education shall advise the supreme court
and the supreme court may, following notice to the referee, remove
the referee from the referee panel provided in SCR 21.08.
Provenance
- Source
- www.wicourts.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-23
- Edition
- 2026-09-23
- Content hash
3f6f1b6fb96ad19dcc48e4089140536a46573dbb88490d46a9b14b297b179565
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