Opinion
A18-2077
05-06-2019
IN RE Petition for DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST Mitchell Willard CONVERSE, a Minnesota Attorney, Registration No. 0248885.
ORDER
The Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility has filed a petition for disciplinary action alleging that respondent Mitchell Willard Converse committed professional misconduct warranting public discipline—namely, failing to file Minnesota individual income-tax returns for tax years 2009 through 2015, failing to timely pay Minnesota tax obligations for two of those tax years, and failing to cooperate with the Director’s investigation. See Minn. R. Prof. Conduct 8.1(b), 8.4(d) ; Rule 25, Rules on Lawyers Professional Responsibility (RLPR).
By order dated February 11, 2019, we deemed the allegations in the petition admitted because respondent failed to file an answer to the petition, see Rule 13(b), RLPR, and directed the parties to file memoranda regarding the appropriate discipline to impose in this case. Only the Director filed a memorandum. The Director recommends that the court indefinitely suspend respondent with no right to petition for reinstatement for 120 days.
The court has independently reviewed the file and approves the Director’s recommended discipline.
Based upon all the files, records, and proceedings herein,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. Respondent Mitchell Willard Converse is indefinitely suspended from the practice of law, effective 14 days from the date of the filing of this order, with no right to petition for reinstatement until 120 days from the date of his suspension.
2. Respondent may petition for reinstatement pursuant to Rule 18(a)–(d), RLPR. Reinstatement is conditioned on 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 on satisfaction of continuing legal education requirements pursuant to Rule 18(e), RLPR.
3. Respondent shall comply with Rule 26, RLPR (requiring notice of suspension to clients, opposing counsel, and tribunals) and shall pay $900 in costs pursuant to Rule 24, RLPR.
BY THE COURT:
/s/ ______________________________
David L. Lillehaug
Associate Justice