Another grievance filed against attorney
The State Bar of Nevada is investigating a new grievance against suspended Las Vegas attorney Jeanne Winkler, one that accuses her of engaging in the unauthorized practice of law.
Assistant Bar Counsel Phil Pattee said Jonathan Schulman, a deputy city attorney in Las Vegas, filed the grievance. It alleges that Winkler went to court on Oct. 8 "and attempted to negotiate a traffic case on behalf of another person," Pattee said.
Pattee said Nevada Supreme Court rules allow him to discuss only the general nature of a grievance.
Schulman said he saw Winkler's name on paperwork as she attempted to negotiate two traffic cases with him in Las Vegas Municipal Court. She was the defendant in one of the cases, he said.
"It was during an attorney session where attorneys would come in and negotiate traffic tickets," Schulman said.
Recalling that Winkler had been suspended, Schulman asked her whether she had been reinstated, and "she eventually said, 'No.' "
Schulman said he then told Winkler he could help her only with her own case.
"We haven't seen her since then," the deputy city attorney said.
Schulman later contacted Pattee and verified that Winkler's suspension remained in effect.
"I turned her in because, pursuant to bar rules, I have to," Schulman said.
The state Supreme Court suspended Winkler's law license in March amid allegations that she misappropriated more than $200,000 from her attorney-client trust account.
In April, the district attorney's office filed a criminal complaint that accused her of bouncing four checks, but the felony bad-check charge was dismissed in September after she paid about $7,000 in restitution.
Winkler, who had been licensed to practice law in Nevada since October 1999, primarily handled cases in Family Court.
Pattee said numerous grievances have been filed against Winkler, but only Schulman's accuses her of practicing law while suspended.
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