Attorney Matthew T. Luening Barred from Immigration Proceedings Following Wisconsin Supreme Court Suspension

On Thursday, February 22, 2024, the Board of Immigration Appeals issued an order immediately suspending attorney Matthew T. Luening from practicing before immigration courts and the Department of Homeland Security.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Matthew T. Luening.”

This order comes after the Supreme Court of Wisconsin suspended Luening’s law license on December 15, 2023, for 60 days, effective January 26, 2024, in response to allegations of professional misconduct brought by the Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR). Specifically, the OLR alleged that Luening improperly withdrew over $23,600 from a former client’s bank account between June 2018 and January 2019 using a power of attorney, and misappropriated some of those funds for his own personal use. Luening has since repaid the client $33,000.

Additionally, the OLR accused Luening of practicing law on June 5-7, 2019 while his license was already suspended for failing to pay his mandatory continuing legal education late fee. Luening was notified in April 2019 that his license would be automatically suspended effective June 5th if he did not become compliant.

In light of the Wisconsin Supreme Court suspension, the Disciplinary Counsels for the EOIR and DHS jointly petitioned the Board of Immigration Appeals for Luening’s immediate suspension from practicing before immigration courts and DHS. The Board granted the petition, barring Luening from representing clients in immigration proceedings until the disciplinary matter is fully resolved. Luening must also notify any current clients of his suspension and provide proof of compliance with the order.

The Disposition states:

“The petition is granted, and the respondent is hereby suspended from the practice of law before the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Immigration Courts, and DHS, pending final disposition of this proceeding. 8 C.F.R.”

According to avvo.com, Mr. Luening is an immigration attorney in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He attended the Marquette University Law School, graduating in 2010. He acquired his law license in Wisconsin in the same year.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.