Case Title: In Re Disciplinary Action Against Skonnord

Citation: 422 N.W.2d 726

Docket Number: C0-87-2385

State: minnesota

Court: Minnesota Supreme Court

Date: 1988-05-05T00:00:00Z

Document:
422 N.W.2d 726 (1988) In re Petition for DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST James T. SKONNORD, an Attorney at Law of the State of Minnesota. No. C0-87-2385. Supreme Court of Minnesota. May 5, 1988. The Director of Lawyers Professional Responsibility filed a petition with the court alleging that the respondent had failed to file quarterly withholding tax returns for parts of 1983 and 1985, had failed to timely pay taxes withheld from his employees' paychecks during those periods, and had failed to file his federal individual income tax returns for the years 1983, 1984, and 1985 and his state individual income taxes for the years 1984 and 1985. Following the interposition of an answer by and on behalf of the respondent, the Director and the respondent entered into a stipulation. By the terms of the stipulation, the respondent admitted the allegations of the complaint and waived all of his rights under Rule 14, Rules on Lawyers Professional Responsibility and agreed that the court may proceed to immediate disposition of this matter under Rule 15, RLPR. In the stipulation the parties agree that the respondent has been chemically dependent for approximately 24 years but that he has currently been chemically free since September 1987, has completed an out-patient chemical dependency program in 1987, has completed an after-care program in October 1987, and has been discharged from those programs subject to future treatment of chemical dependency including attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous. Notwithstanding the respondent's diagnosed alcoholism, the parties agree that there lacks clear and convincing evidence of causal connection between the chemical dependency and the respondent's misconduct. By the stipulation the Director and the respondent have recommended to this court a suspension followed by probation with supervision on conditions. The court having examined the petition, the answer, the stipulation, and being advised in the premises, NOW ORDERS: 1. The respondent is hereby suspended from the practice of law for a period of 60 days following the date of this order. 2. Upon completion of the suspension, the respondent shall be on a supervised probation for a period of two years. 3. The supervised probation would be subject to the following conditions: 4. Respondent shall forthwith pay $750 in costs pursuant to Rule 24(a), Rules on Lawyers Professional Responsibility. 5. Respondent shall be reinstated following the expiration of the suspension upon the filing of an affidavit with the clerk of appellate courts and the Director's office establishing that respondent is current with continuing legal education, has complied with Rules 24 and 26, Rules on Lawyers Professional Responsibility, and has satisfactorily completed all other conditions imposed by the Court in this decision concerning respondent's probation.