Opinion
A20-0776
01-21-2021
IN RE Petition for DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST Marcel Leshaun THOMPSON, a Minnesota Attorney, Registration No. 0399434.
ORDER
The Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility filed a petition for disciplinary action alleging that respondent Marcel Leshaun Thompson committed professional misconduct warranting public discipline—namely, committing felony second degree assault with a dangerous weapon in violation of Minn. Stat. § 609.222, subd. 1 (2020), a felony punishable by up to 7 years in prison, id. ; engaging in terroristic threats, in violation of Minn. Stat. § 609.713, subd. 1 (2020), a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison, id. ; and failing to cooperate with the Director's investigation. See Minn. R. Prof. Conduct 8.1(b), 8.4(b), and Rule 25, Rules on Lawyers Professional Responsibility (RLPR).
By order dated September 24, 2020, the court 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. The Director recommends that the court indefinitely suspend respondent with no right to petition for reinstatement for 3 years. Respondent did not make a recommendation as to the appropriate discipline.
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 Marcel Leshaun Thompson is indefinitely suspended from the practice of law, effective from the date of filing of this order, with no right to petition for reinstatement for 3 years.
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.