Opinion
A23-1828
02-23-2024
In re Petition for Disciplinary Action against Paul E. Overson, a Minnesota Attorney, Registration No. 0195005.
ORDER
Margaret H. Chutich, Associate Justice.
The Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility has filed a petition for disciplinary action alleging that respondent Paul E. Overson has committed professional misconduct warranting public discipline-namely, knowingly making a misleading statement to a court during a hearing and subsequently failing to correct his misleading statement. See Minn. R. Prof. Conduct 8.4(c), 8.4(d).
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), waives his right to answer, and unconditionally admits the allegations of the petition. The parties jointly recommend that the appropriate discipline is a 30-day suspension.
We have independently reviewed the file and approve the jointly recommended disposition. Based upon all the files, records, and proceedings herein.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. Respondent Paul E. Overson is suspended from the practice of law for a minimum of 30 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), and shall pay $900 in costs under Rule 24(a), RLPR.
3. 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 he 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.
4. 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 Minnesota 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.