Wisconsin Supreme Court Suspends Law License of Attorney Who Spit on Teen
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Regulatory Penalties and the Wisconsin Supreme Court Order
The Wisconsin Supreme Court issued an unsigned order on Thursday adopting a referee’s recommendation to suspend Rapkin’s law license for one year. According to the court’s filing, Rapkin’s conduct “seriously adversely reflects on her fitness to practice law” and serves as “an embarrassment to the bar.” The disciplinary action stems from a multi-faceted complaint brought by the Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation.
In addition to the suspension, the state high court ordered Rapkin to pay $3,164.77 to cover the costs of the disciplinary proceedings. The regulatory body’s investigation detailed two distinct pillars of professional misconduct: the high-profile street confrontation and a severely mishandled probate proceeding.
The 2020 Shorewood Incident and Criminal Conviction
The disciplinary proceedings trace back to a June 2020 demonstration in Shorewood, Wisconsin, occurring just one month after the death of George Floyd. According to the Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation complaint cited by Wisconsin Public Radio, Rapkin spat in the face of an African-American teenager who was participating in the street protest.
Rapkin was subsequently charged and convicted of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, in April 2023. Beyond the criminal penalties, that public confrontation laid the groundwork for the subsequent professional license scrutiny that culminated in Thursday’s Supreme Court suspension order.
Estate Mismanagement and Fiduciary Breach Allegations
The regulatory complaint extended far beyond the 2020 street incident, incorporating severe allegations regarding fiduciary negligence in estate handling. The Office of Lawyer Regulation asserted that Rapkin mismanaged an estate that languished for two years before a probate court formally removed her as representative.
During that botched administration, Rapkin charged nearly $19,000 in improper fees. When court-appointed referees attempted to investigate the matter, Rapkin rebuffed the inquiries. In an email response documented in the court’s order, she stated that she was retired, had not renewed her Wisconsin Bar Association dues, and was no longer a member, concluding, “Thus, I believe you have no jurisdiction over me.”
Countervailing Civil Litigation and Settlement Outcomes
While facing severe professional discipline, Rapkin simultaneously pursued civil litigation regarding the aftermath of her 2020 arrest. She filed a lawsuit against the villages of Shorewood and Whitefish Bay, alleging that police violated her Fourth Amendment rights by kicking in the door to her home without a warrant.
That civil matter reached resolution outside the courtroom. An insurance company representing the municipalities agreed to a settlement in 2024, awarding Rapkin $760,000. Despite that financial recovery, her refusal to participate in the regulatory inquiry ultimately failed to stall the state supreme court’s disciplinary mandate.
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