In Re Disciplinary Action Against Rodriguez

783 N.W.2d 170, 2010 Minn. LEXIS 304, 2010 WL 2406184

Opinions

ORDER

In November 2008, the Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility filed a petition for disciplinary action alleging that respondent Juan Jesus Rodriguez committed professional misconduct warranting public discipline, namely, misappropriating funds from a legal services organization by intercepting payments intended to pay the organization, in violation of Minn. R. Prof. Conduct 1.15(a) and 8.4(c), and misrepresenting the terms of agreements signed by clients with the legal services organization for the purpose of collecting additional funds for his own use, in violation of Minn. R. Prof. Conduct 4.1, 8.4(c), and 8.4(d).

Because respondent could not be found in the state or served personally with the disciplinary petition, in November 2008 we suspended respondent from the practice of law but allowed respondent one year in which to move for vacation of the order of suspension and for leave to answer the disciplinary petition. Respondent did not seek to vacate the order of suspension or otherwise appear in the matter and, in January 2010, we deemed the allegations of the disciplinary petition admitted and invited briefs from the parties as to the appropriate discipline. The Director has filed a brief recommending that respondent be disbarred. Respondent has filed a memorandum with the court indicating that he does not oppose disbarment.

Based upon all the files, records, and proceedings herein,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that respondent Juan Jesus Rodriguez be, and the same is, disbarred.

BY THE COURT:

/s/ Alan C. Page Associate Justice