In re Springer, A18-1101

• Citation: 915 N.W.2d 894
• Decision Date: 30 July 2018
• Docket Number: A18-1101
• Parties: IN RE Petition for DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST Scott Kerry SPRINGER, a Minnesota Attorney, Registration No. 0313695.
• Court: Supreme Court of Minnesota (US)

915 N.W.2d 894

IN RE Petition for DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST Scott Kerry SPRINGER, a Minnesota Attorney, Registration No. 0313695.

A18-1101

Supreme Court of Minnesota.

Dated: July 30, 2018

ORDER

The Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility has filed a petition for disciplinary action alleging that respondent Scott Kerry Springer has committed professional misconduct warranting public discipline—namely, failing to maintain all required trust account books and records and failing to deposit client funds in trust, resulting in shortages in the trust account and negligent misappropriation of client funds. See Minn. R. Prof. Conduct 1.15(a), 1.15(c)(3), 1.15(h), as interpreted by Appendix 1 thereto.

Respondent and the Director have entered into a stipulation for discipline. In it, respondent waives his procedural rights under Rule 14, Rules on Lawyers Professional Responsibility (RLPR), and unconditionally admits the allegations of the petition. The parties jointly recommend that the appropriate discipline is a public reprimand followed by 2 years of probation, to begin if and when respondent resumes handling client funds.

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

Based upon all the files, records, and proceedings herein,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

1. Respondent Scott Kerry Springer is publicly reprimanded.

2. Respondent shall pay $900 in costs pursuant to Rule 24(a), RLPR.

3. Respondent shall not handle client funds or have any involvement in maintaining a lawyer trust account, unless he gives the Director 30 days’ notice before doing so. If such notice is given, respondent shall then be placed on probation for 2 years, subject to the following terms and conditions:

a. Respondent shall cooperate fully with the Director’s Office in its efforts to monitor compliance with this probation. Respondent shall promptly respond to the Director’s correspondence by its 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 that 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. Respond

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