In re Disciplinary Action Against Michael

838 N.W.2d 790 (Minn. 2013) · Supreme Court of Minnesota · November 5, 2013

Summary

The Minnesota Supreme Court conditionally reinstates Lori Mae Michael to the practice of law, subject to her successful completion of the professional responsibility portion of the state bar examination. The court places her on disciplinary probation for two years and specifies supervision, reporting, cooperation, and compliance requirements, with automatic re-suspension if she fails to provide proof of examination completion by September 18, 2014.

Court
Supreme Court of Minnesota
Writing for the Court
Alan C. Page
Jurisdiction
Minnesota
Decision date
November 5, 2013
Procedural posture
After being suspended from the practice of law for a minimum of 30 days, respondent Lori Mae Michael sought reinstatement by affidavit. The Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility did not oppose the request.
Precedential value
published
Disposition
other

Topics

appellate procedure

Practice areas

legal ethicsattorney disciplineprofessional responsibility

Questions Presented

  1. Whether respondent should be reinstated to the practice of law after her disciplinary suspension.
  2. What conditions and consequences should govern respondent's reinstatement and disciplinary probation.

Holdings

  1. Respondent was conditionally reinstated to practice law in Minnesota, subject to successful completion of the professional responsibility portion of the state bar examination, and was placed on disciplinary probation for two years.
  2. Failure to file proof of successful completion of the professional responsibility portion of the state bar examination by September 18, 2014, would result in automatic re-suspension pending proof of completion.

Key quotations

Respondent is conditionally reinstated to the practice of law in the State of Minnesota, subject to her successful completion of the professional responsibility portion of the state bar examination, and is placed on disciplinary probation for 2 years (838 N.W.2d at 791)
Failure to do so shall result in automatic re-suspension pending proof of successful completion of the examination, pursuant to Rule 18(e)(3), RLPR. (838 N.W.2d at 792)

Factual background

The court had previously suspended Lori Mae Michael from practicing law for a minimum of 30 days. She sought reinstatement and represented that she had complied with the suspension terms except that she had not successfully completed the professional responsibility portion of the state bar examination. The Director did not oppose reinstatement.

Procedural history

The Supreme Court of Minnesota had previously suspended respondent for at least 30 days. Respondent then filed an affidavit seeking reinstatement, stating that she had complied with the suspension terms except for successful completion of the professional responsibility portion of the state bar examination. The court conditionally reinstated her subject to examination completion and imposed two years of disciplinary probation.

Court Document

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