Demeaning Texts Draw Reciprocal Sanction

A discipline order of the Minnesota Supreme Court

The Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility filed a petition for disciplinary action against respondent Kamille R. Dean after respondent was suspended for 60 days by the presiding disciplinary judge of the Arizona Supreme Court. Respondent was suspended in Arizona for sending numerous demeaning and unprofessional text messages to a client, disclosing protected client information to the opposing party, and listing non-harassing actions in applying for a harassment restraining order against her client. Respondent’s conduct violated Ariz. R. Sup. Ct. 41(b)(7) and Ariz. R. Sup. Ct., ER 1.6, ER 1.8(b), ER 3.1, and ER 8.4(d).

The parties have filed a stipulation for discipline with the court. In it, respondent waives her procedural rights under Rule 12(d), Rules on Lawyers Professional Responsibility (RLPR), unconditionally admits the allegations in the petition, and does not contest the final adjudication in Arizona that she committed certain misconduct. The parties jointly recommend that the appropriate discipline is a 60-day suspension and one year of probation upon reinstatement.

The court has independently reviewed the file and approves the jointly recommended disposition.

The Arizona order is linked here (Mike Frisch)