Opinion
A23-0008
06-27-2023
IN RE Petition for DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST Fong E. LEE, a Minnesota Attorney, Registration No. 0387546.
ORDER
On January 3, 2023, the Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility filed a petition for disciplinary action alleging that respondent Fong E. Lee committed professional misconduct warranting public discipline. On February 13, 2023, the Director filed a supplementary petition for disciplinary action. We referred the matter to a referee for findings of fact, conclusions, and recommendations for disposition. After a hearing, the referee found that respondent violated Minn. R. Prof. Conduct 1.1, 1.4(a)(2), 1.4(a)(3), 1.4(a)(4), 1.4(b), 1.5(b)(1), 1.5(c), 1.15(a), 1.15(b), 1.15(c)(4), 1.15(c)(5), 1.15(h), as further interpreted by Appendix 1, 1.16(d), 8.1(b), and 8.4(c), and Rule 25, Rules on Lawyers Professional Responsibility (RLPR). The referee recommended that respondent be disbarred.
The Director has filed a request for interim suspension pursuant to Rule 16(e), RLPR. Respondent has not responded to the request for interim suspension.
Rule 16(e), RLPR, provides that, upon a referee's recommendation of disbarment, "the lawyer's authority to practice law shall be suspended pending final determination of the disciplinary proceeding, unless the referee directs otherwise or the Court orders otherwise."
Based upon all the files, records, and proceedings herein,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that respondent Fong E. Lee is temporarily suspended from the practice of law, effective as of the date of this order, pending final resolution of this matter. Respondent shall comply with Rule 26, RLPR (requiring notice of suspension to clients, opposing counsel, and tribunals).