Opinion
A22-1813
04-25-2023
IN RE Petition for DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST Jennifer L. CASANOVA-ROERS, a Minnesota Attorney, Registration No. 0332690.
ORDER
The Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility has filed a petition for disciplinary action alleging that respondent Jennifer L. Casanova-Roers committed professional misconduct warranting public discipline; namely, representing clients when a nonwaivable conflict of interest existed, failing to clearly disclose to an unrepresented person that the interests of her client were adverse to the interests of the unrepresented person, and giving legal advice, other than to seek counsel, to an unrepresented person. See Minn. R. Prof. Conduct 1.7(a)(2), 4.3(b), 4.3(d).
Respondent waives her rights under Rule 14, Rules on Lawyers Professional Responsibility (RLPR), and unconditionally admits the allegations in the petition. The parties jointly recommend that the appropriate discipline is a 60-day suspension followed by 2 years of unsupervised probation.
The court has independently reviewed the file and approves the recommended disposition.
Based upon all the files, records, and proceedings herein,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. Respondent Jennifer L. Casanova-Roers is suspended from the practice of law for a minimum of 60 days, effective 14 days from the date of this order.
2. Respondent shall comply with Rule 26, RLPR (requiring notice of suspension to clients, opposing counsel, and tribunals).
3. Respondent shall pay $900 in costs under Rule 24(a), RLPR.
4. Respondent shall be eligible for reinstatement to the practice of law following the expiration of the suspension period provided that, not less than 15 days before the end of the suspension period, respondent files with the Clerk of the Appellate Courts and serves upon the Director an affidavit establishing that she is current in continuing legal education requirements, has complied with Rules 24 and 26, RLPR, and has complied with any other conditions for reinstatement imposed by the court.
5. Within 1 year of the date of this order, respondent shall file with the Clerk of the Appellate Courts and serve upon the Director proof of 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 that an applicant has successfully completed the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination). Failure to timely file the required documentation shall result in automatic suspension, as provided in Rule 18(e)(3), RLPR.
6. Upon reinstatement to the practice of law, respondent shall be placed on probation for 2 years, subject to the following 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 the Director with 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 respondent's compliance with the terms of this probation.
(b) Respondent shall abide by the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct.
(c) Respondent shall initiate and maintain office procedures that ensure there are appropriate guidelines for identifying
and dealing with potential conflicts and dealing with unrepresented parties.
BY THE COURT:
/s/ __________
Natalie E. Hudson
Associate Justice