Title: Matter of Discipline of Fitzgerald

State: minnesota

Issuer: Minnesota Supreme Court

Document:

366 N.W.2d 262 (1985) In the Matter of the Application for the DISCIPLINE OF John P. FITZGERALD, Jr., an Attorney at Law of the State of Minnesota. C6-84-335. Supreme Court of Minnesota. April 2, 1985. The above-entitled matter comes before this court upon the stipulation of the parties which provides as follows: Based upon the records, files and proceedings herein, and on the foregoing stipulation of the parties, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED: 1. That the respondent John P. Fitzgerald, Jr. is hereby publicly reprimanded and suspended from the practice of law for a period of 90 days from January 17, 1985, and placed on probation for three years thereafter pursuant to Rule 15, Minn.R. Law.Prof.Resp. 2. That respondent is further ordered to pay $500 in costs to the Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board pursuant to Rule 25(a), Minn.R.Law.Prof.Resp. 3. The following terms shall be applicable during the entire course of respondent's probation: a. Respondent shall abide by Minnesota Code of Professional Responsibility (MCPR) or such other rules governing attorney conduct as the Supreme Court may promulgate. Either respondent's admission or a referee finding of further unprofessional conduct shall constitute conclusive evidence of a breach of the stipulation and of this order. b. Respondent shall maintain total abstinence from alcohol and other mood-altering chemicals except that respondent may use prescription drugs in accordance with directions of a prescribing physician who is fully advised of respondent's chemical dependency before issuing the prescription. c. During the course of the probation, respondent shall regularly attend meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous or other out-patient alcohol treatment program acceptable to the Director. d. Respondent shall execute such authorizations as may be deemed necessary for the Director to verify respondent's compliance with the terms of the stipulation and this order including his compliance with treatment provisions or recommendations. e. For tax years beginning with 1984, respondent shall timely file all state and federal tax returns and pay the taxes thereon as they become due. Respondent shall affirmatively report, on or before the due date of each year during which this probation is in effect, his compliance with said filing and payment requirements. In this connection, respondent shall provide the Director with tax authorizations necessary for the Director to obtain verification from state and federal authorities that said tax returns have been filed and the taxes due thereon have been paid in full. f. Respondent shall enter into a repayment plan agreement acceptable to the I.R.S. with respect to his existing federal tax obligation, make payments as provided in the plan and provide the Director with copies of the plan, evidence of timely payments and such authorizations as the Director may require for verification. g. Within two weeks from the date of this order, respondent shall nominate an attorney acceptable to the Director who shall monitor respondent's compliance with the terms of this probation. If respondent fails to nominate a supervisor acceptable to the Director, then the Director may, at his option, appoint any licensed Minnesota lawyer acceptable to him as supervisor. Respondent's supervisor shall file written reports with the Director at least quarterly or at such other more frequent intervals as may reasonably be requested by the Director. h. Respondent shall cooperate during the course of this probation with the supervisor and with the Director's office in their efforts to monitor compliance with this stay and in any investigations of further unprofessional conduct which may arise during the probation. i. Respondent shall not engage in the solo practice of law or in any other form of largely unsupervised practice without prior notice to the Director, and furnishing satisfactory proof that he is able to do so.