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WI · rules

SCR 21.08

Referees

activein force · 2025-10-30 – presentact-effective-date

(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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