Bindinglaw

WI · rules

SCR 22.42

Subpoena

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

(1) In any matter under investigation, the director, or a special

investigator acting under SCR 22.25, may require the attendance of

lawyers and witnesses and the production of documentary evidence. A

subpoena issued in connection with a confidential investigation must so

indicate on its face. It is not a breach of confidentiality for a person

subpoenaed to consult with an attorney.

(2) In any disciplinary proceeding before a referee, the director,

or the director's counsel, a special investigator acting under SCR 22.25,

and the respondent or counsel for the respondent may require the

attendance of witnesses and the production of documentary evidence.

The use of subpoenas for discovery in a matter pending before a referee

shall be pursuant to an order of the referee. The service, enforcement,

or challenge to any subpoena issued under this rule shall be governed

by ch. 885, stats., except as otherwise provided in this chapter.

(2m)(a) The director may issue a subpoena under this chapter to

compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents in

Wisconsin, or elsewhere as agreed by the witnesses, if a subpoena is

sought in Wisconsin under the law of another jurisdiction for use in a

lawyer discipline or disability investigation or proceeding in that

jurisdiction, and the application for issuance of the subpoena has been

approved or authorized under the law of that jurisdiction.

(b) In a lawyer discipline or disability investigation or

proceeding in this jurisdiction, the director, special investigator, or

respondent may apply for the issuance of a subpoena in another

jurisdiction, under the rules of that jurisdiction when the application is

in aid or defense of the investigation or proceeding, and the director,

special investigator, or respondent could issue compulsory process or

obtain formal prehearing discovery under this chapter.

(3) A referee may enforce the attendance of a witness and the

production of documentary evidence.

(4) The referee shall rule on a challenge to the validity of a

subpoena. If a referee has not been assigned to the matter, a challenge

to a subpoena issued by the director shall be filed with the supreme

court together with a petition for the appointment of a referee to rule on

the challenge.

(5) Subpoena and witness fees and mileage are allowable and

paid as provided in Wis. Stat. §§ 885.05 and 885.06(2). A witness

subpoenaed during an investigation shall be paid subpoena fees and

mileage by the person requesting the subpoena. A witness subpoenaed

to appear at a disciplinary or medical incapacity hearing before the

referee shall be paid subpoena fees and mileage by the party on whose

behalf the witness appears.

Provenance

Source
www.wicourts.gov
Retrieved
2026-09-23
Edition
2026-09-23
Content hash
caadcf3a5063f5b0a45d73ed1177dc327d099e9fde447b89fad111eef8596301
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