Opinion
A21-0547
12-06-2022
IN RE Petition for DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST Patrick Chinedu NWANERI, a Minnesota Attorney, Registration No. 0322003.
ORDER
On August 24, 2022, we suspended respondent Patrick Chinedu Nwaneri from the practice of law for a minimum of 90 days, effective 14 days from the date of our opinion.
Respondent has filed an affidavit seeking reinstatement in which he states that he has fully complied with the terms of our opinion regarding reinstatement, except for successful completion of the written examination required for admission to the practice of law by the State Board of Law Examiners on the subject of professional responsibility. The Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility does not oppose the request.
Based upon all the files, records, and proceedings herein,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. Respondent Patrick Chinedu Nwaneri is conditionally reinstated to the practice of law in the State of Minnesota, subject to his successful completion of the written examination required for admission to the practice of law by the State Board of Law Examiners on the subject of professional responsibility, and is placed on probation for 2 years, upon the following terms and conditions:
a. Respondent shall cooperate fully with the Director's Office in its efforts to monitor compliance with this probation and promptly respond to the Director's correspondence by the due date. Respondent shall provide to the Director a current mailing address and shall immediately notify the Director of any change of address. Respondent shall cooperate with the Director's investigation of any allegations of unprofessional conduct which may come to the Director's attention. Upon the Director's request, respondent shall provide authorization for release of information and documentation to verify compliance with the terms of this probation.
b. Respondent shall abide by the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct.
c. Respondent shall be supervised by a licensed Minnesota attorney, appointed by the Director to monitor compliance with the terms of this probation. Respondent shall provide to the Director the names of four attorneys who have agreed to be nominated as respondent's supervisor within 2 weeks from the date of this order. If, after diligent effort, respondent is unable to locate a supervisor acceptable to the Director, the Director will seek to appoint a supervisor. Until a supervisor has signed a consent to supervise, respondent shall on the first day of each month provide the Director with an inventory of active client files, as described in paragraph d. below. Respondent shall make active client files available to the Director upon request.
d. Respondent shall cooperate fully with the supervisor in the supervisor's efforts to monitor compliance with this probation. Respondent shall contact the supervisor and schedule a minimum of one meeting per calendar quarter. Respondent shall submit to the supervisor an inventory of all active client files by the first day of each month during the probation. With respect to each active file, the inventory shall disclose the client name, type of representation, date opened, most recent activity, next anticipated
action, and anticipated closing date. Respondent's supervisor shall file written reports with the Director at least quarterly, or at such more frequent intervals as may reasonably be requested by the Director.
2. By August 24, 2023, respondent shall file with the Clerk of the Appellate Courts and serve upon the Director proof of respondent's successful completion of the written examination required for admission to the practice of law by the State Board of Law Examiners on the subject of professional responsibility. See Rule 4.A.(5), Rules for Admission to the Bar (requiring evidence than an applicant has successfully completed the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination). Failure to do so shall result in automatic suspension, pending proof of successful completion of the examination, under Rule 18(e)(3), Rules on Lawyers Professional Responsibility.
BY THE COURT:
/s/ __________
Natalie E. Hudson
Associate Justice