Moral Change

The Minnesota Supreme Court rejected an unfavorable recommendation and reinstated an attorney to the practice of law.

Trombley was admitted to practice law in Minnesota in 2000. She mainly worked as an in-house attorney, most recently at a Minnesota healthcare company. While suspended, Trombley has remained employed at that company in the non-legal role of project manager.

On August 8, 2018, we indefinitely suspended Trombley, with no right to petition for reinstatement for a minimum of 6 months, for dishonestly converting her stepfather’s money.

The court found she was remorseful and had changed

Here, Trombley testified about a change in conduct. She testified that she continues to meet with a therapist twice a month to discuss personal issues because she realizes the importance of a third party’s perspective. Her husband testified that, since her suspension, Trombley has exhibited more empathy and compassion toward their children. Trombley also testified about her new state of mind, explaining that she would “have much more insight now into recognizing” this type of situation in the future, that she no longer demonizes her stepsister, and that she recognizes that she acted “terribly wrong.” On the whole, clear and convincing evidence exists that Trombley has changed her conduct and state of mind to correct the underlying misconduct.

And can be trusted to ethically practice law

The misconduct in this case occurred outside the practice of law and involved Trombley dishonestly converting her stepfather’s money and spending it on herself. Trombley testified that if she is reinstated, she would like to return to her role as in-house counsel. Compellingly, Trombley’s employer has remained committed to her: The company transferred her to a new role during her suspension and her supervisor stated he will consider returning Trombley to a legal position after her reinstatement. This support from Trombley’s employer provides strong evidence that Trombley is trusted to ethically practice law. Moreover, Trombley wants to avoid similar situations in the future, testifying that she “would not agree to handle somebody’s will” or “be somebody’s power of attorney” in the future. And as explained above, she continues to meet with a therapist twice a month. We conclude that Trombley has demonstrated a renewed commitment to the ethical practice of law.

Conclusion

We reinstate Trombley to the practice of law, subject to a permanent prohibition from acting as a fiduciary for any family member (other than her husband and children), require her to make payment of her annual registration fee within 30 days of the date of this opinion, and place her on probation for a period of 2 years [subject to conditions]

(Mike Frisch)