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Free Speech

Lawyers Shouldn't Spit in Protesters' Faces (and Police Generally Shouldn't Kick in Doors Without Warrants)

Eugene Volokh | 9.29.2026 12:46 PM

In In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings Against Rapkin, decided Sept. 17 by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Stephanie Rapkin was subjected to discipline by the Wisconsin OLR (Office of Lawyer Regulations) for charging a client "thousands of dollars without a valid written fee agreement in place," "fail[ing] to diligently carry out her duties," and related misconduct, as well as this unrelated offense:

The OLR's complaint next alleged that on June 6, 2020, Attorney Rapkin "spat in the face of an African-American teenager who was taking part in a protest in Shorewood, Wisconsin" [apparently a Black Lives Matter protest -EV]. This incident led to Attorney Rapkin being convicted, following a jury trial, of misdemeanor disorderly conduct….

Rapkin didn't appear to contest the charges, saying that she had retired. The court concluded that a one-year suspension was the proper disciplinary measure:

We agree with the referee that, regarding her work........

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