Using Trust Account To Avoid Creditors

The Minnesota Supreme Court imposed a suspension for a minimum of one year in a matter where “a lawyer deceptively labeled a personal account as a trust account to shield his personal funds from judgment creditors, improperly kept personal funds in his client trust account, commingled client and personal funds, and made misrepresentations to and failed to cooperate with [disciplinary counsel]. The attorney “had two prior instances of similar misconduct, failed to recognize the wrongfulness of his conduct, and failed to place client retainers in a trust account.” The court rejected the contention that the attorney had been denied discovery from disciplinary counsel.

In light of the attorney’s misconduct, attitude and prior discipline, one might fairly ask what it takes to get disbarred? (Mike Frisch)