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Whitewater lawyer has license reinstated

MADISON — The Wisconsin Supreme Court this week reinstated, effective July 24, the law license of John A. Chavez, a former Whitewater lawyer and Jefferson County prosecutor.

The court suspended Chavez's license in 2004 for not cooperating with a grievance investigation.

In 2005, Chavez's license was indefinitely suspended based on medical incapacity due to alcohol addiction. Chavez petitioned the court Dec. 23, 2010 to reinstate his license.

A referee, Lisa Goldman, was appointed May 24, 2011 to conduct an evidentiary hearing to determine if Chavez's license should be reinstated.

"After considering all the evidence, the referee concluded that Chavez met his burden to show by clear, satisfactory and convincing evidence that his medical incapacity has been removed and that he is fit to practice law," the court said in its July 10 decision.

The court noted Chavez has been sober since Feb. 9, 2010. It placed these conditions on the reinstatement on Chavez's license:

-- That he enter into a monitoring contract with Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program.

-- That he comply with all treatment recommendations

-- That he abstain for all alcohol and other mood-altering substances

-- That he be supervised by a legal mentor for two years

"After fully reviewing this matter, we agree that attorney Chavez's license should be reinstated," the court said in its decision.