Case Title: In the Matter of Discipline of C. Southwell

Citation: 373 N.W.2d 592

Docket Number: C8-84-1034

State: minnesota

Court: Minnesota Supreme Court

Date: 1985-08-19T00:00:00Z

Document:
373 N.W.2d 592 (1985) In the Matter of the Application for the DISCIPLINE OF Brian C. SOUTHWELL, an Attorney at Law of the State of Minnesota. No. C8-84-1034. Supreme Court of Minnesota. August 19, 1985. In an original petition for discipline, the Director of the Minnesota Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board alleged that respondent had failed to file Minnesota individual income tax returns within the time required by law in the years 1980, 1981, and 1982, and had failed to file United States individual income tax returns within the time required by law for the years 1981 and 1982. He likewise alleged that respondent failed to maintain trust account records for the years 1979 through May 29, 1984, and otherwise failed to maintain required trust account records. Subsequently, the Director filed a supplementary petition alleging that he had inappropriately handled a real estate transaction resulting in defrauding the vendors and creditors of a debtor in the chain of title. Respondent, in essence, admitted the allegations in the initial petition but contested the allegations in the third count of the supplemental petition. This court, by order dated March 6, 1985, referred the matter to the Honorable James E. Preece to serve as referee to report all evidence in the matter. Prior to a hearing before the referee, the respondent and the Director entered into a stipulation for discipline. The court, having examined the files and records herein, and the stipulation, IT IS NOW ORDERED: 1. That respondent be suspended from the practice of law for a period of 90 days commencing October 1, 1985, provided that respondent shall not be reinstated unless he has complied with the requirements of this order and the duties of a suspended attorney, including those set forth in Rules 18(e), 24 and 26, Rules of Lawyers Professional Responsibility. 2. Once respondent is reinstated, he shall be on supervised probation for a period of two years. The terms of the probation shall be: 3. Prior to September 15, 1985, respondent shall file with this court a written settlement agreement terminating the dispute between Delos and Lillian Hacklander and respondent. Respondent's reinstatement to the practice of law is conditioned upon his filing proof of payment of the settlement amount with the Lawyers Board of Professional Responsibility and with this court. 4. Respondent, within 30 days of the date of this order, shall pay to the Director $500 in costs pursuant to Rule 24(a), Rules of Lawyers Professional Responsibility.