Today, the Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) filed a complaint with the Wisconsin Supreme Court against Michael Gableman.
The allegations arise from Gableman’s extensive efforts to overturn the 2020 election at the behest of Robin Vos, Speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly. Vos eventually fired Gableman, after Gableman publicly defied him. On March 2, 2023, Law Forward filed an omnibus grievance and hundreds of pages of supporting materials with OLR, asking that office to investigate and seek accountability for Gableman’s numerous and egregious ethical lapses.
In that grievance, we set forth conclusive evidence that Gableman consistently lied, failed to meet minimum standards of competency for lawyers in Wisconsin, pursued frivolous litigation, abused legal processes to harass elected officials and others with whom he disagrees politically, and violated both basic legal practice rules and every provision of his oath as an attorney.
Today’s OLR civil action is an important step in ensuring future elections remain trustworthy.
Why does this matter?
Our justice system works only if everyone plays by the same rules, but Gableman fragrantly violated those rules. He did so while misusing taxpayer funds, promoting baseless conspiracy theories, and engaging in improper intimidation tactics. His efforts undermined the integrity of our electoral system.
What Happens Next?
After Gableman is served with this civil action, he will have 20 days to file an answer. Within 10 days of Gableman being served, the Wisconsin State Supreme Court will appoint a neutral referee to adjudicate OLR’s complaint and, if necessary, to hold an evidentiary hearing. The referee will file a report with the Wisconsin Supreme Court, outlining their factual findings and any recommended sanctions that they see as appropriate.
Law Forward is committed to ensuring accountability for those who undermine the public’s trust in our elections, and we will continue to pursue legal action to hold others who impugn elections responsible for their actions, ensuring that they face consequences for any misconduct that threatens the freedom to vote.
Our work is far from finished, and we are dedicated to securing a future where elections remain fair, transparent, and free from interference.