November 25, 2015 STATE OF MINNESOTA 

IN SUPREME COURT 

A15-1316 

In rePetition for Disciplinary Action against 

John Nwabuwane Akwuba, a Minnesota Attorney, 

Registration No. 0280446. 

ORDER 

-I 

OAU: ·OF 

API'B.lA1ECCDtTa 

On November 13, 2015, the court issued an order disciplining respondent John 

Nwabuwane Akwuba. On November 16, 2015, respondent filed a letter requesting that 

the court clarify and, if appropriate, amend its November 13 order to conform to the 

parties' stipulation for discipline. Specifically, Respondent's letter requests that two 

changes be made to the conditions of probation in paragraph 6 ofthe November 13 order. 

Respondent further indicates that the Director does not object to those changes. 

First, respondent requests that paragraphs 6( c) and 6( d) be amended to specify that 

an attorney with the Director's office, rather than an attorney nominated by respondent, 

supervise respondent's probation. The requested amendment is reasonable and will be 

granted. 

Second, respondent requests that the order be amended to specify that the Director 

has the authority to unilaterally terminate his probation. An attorney's public probation is 

imposed pursuant to the court's authority as the sole arbiter of the appropriate discipline. 
Accordingly, although the Director may request that respondent's public probation be 

terminated early, the court makes the final decision on the request. 

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

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT: 

1. Respondent John Nwabuwane Akwuba is suspended from the practice of 

law for a minimum of 60 days, effective November 27, 2015. 

2. Respondent shall comply with Rule 26, RLPR (requiring notice of 

suspension to clients, opposing counsel, and tribunals). 

3. Respondent shall pay $900 in costs pursuant to Rule 24, RLPR. 

4. Respondent shall be eligible for reinstatement to the practice of law 

following the expiration of the suspension period provided that, not less than 15 days 

before the end of the suspension period, respondent files with the Clerk of Appellate 

Courts and serves upon the Director an affidavit establishing that he is current in 

continuing legal education requirements, has complied with Rules 24 and 26, RLPR, and 

has complied with any other conditions for reinstatement imposed by the court. 

5. Within 1 year of the date of the filing of this order, respondent shall file 

with the Clerk of Appellate Courts and serve upon the Director proof of successful 

completion of the professional responsibility portion of the state bar examination. Failure 

to timely file the required documentation shall result in automatic re-suspension, as 

provided in Rule 18( e )(3 ), RLPR. 

6. Upon reinstatement to the practice of law, respondent shall be subject to 

probation for 2 years, subject to the following conditions: 

2 
(a) Respondent shall cooperate fully with the Director's Office in its 

efforts to monitor compliance with this probation. Respondent shall 

promptly respond to the Director's correspondence by its due date. 

Respondent shall provide the Director with a current mailing address and 

shall immediately notify the Director of any change of address. 

Respondent shall cooperate with the Director's investigation of any 

allegations of unprofessional conduct that may come to the Director's 

attention. Upon the Director's request, respondent shall provide 

authorization for release of information and documentation to verify 

respondent's compliance with the terms ofthis probation; 

(b) Respondent shall abide by the Minnesota Rules of Professional 

Conduct; 

(c) Respondent shall be supervised by an attorney with the Director's 

Office to monitor respondent's compliance with the terms of this probation; 

(d) Respondent shall maintain law office and trust account books and 

records in compliance with Minn. R. Prof. Conduct 1.15 and Appendix 1. 

These books and records include the following: client subsidiary ledger, 

checkbook register, monthly trial balances, monthly trust account 

reconciliation, bank statements, canceled checks, duplicate deposit slips 

and bank reports of interest, service charges, and interest payments to the 

Minnesota IOL TA Program. Such books and records shall be made 

available to the Director within 30 days from the date of the filing of this 

order and thereafter shall be made available to the Director at such intervals 

as he deems necessary to determine compliance; and 

(e) If after 1 year the Director, in his sole discretion, determines that 

probation is no longer necessary to ensure that respondent is compliant with 

his obligations under Minn. R. Prof. Conduct 1.15 and Appendix 1, the 

Director may request that probation be terminated by filing a stipulation for 

termination of probation. 

3 
7. To the extent of any inconsistency with the court's order of November 13, 

2015, the terms of this order shall control. 

Dated: November 25, 2015 

4 

BY THE COURT: 

David R. Stras 

Associate Justice