Opinion ID: 1631049
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Reinstatement and Supervised Probation

Text: We conclude that Dedefo has shown by clear and convincing evidence that he has undergone a moral change and is entitled to be reinstated to the practice of law. We therefore reinstate him, subject to a two-year period of supervised probation governed by the following conditions agreed upon by the Panel, the Director, and Dedefo: (1) Dedefo shall cooperate fully with the Director's Office in its efforts to monitor compliance with probation and promptly respond to the Director's correspondence by the due date. Dedefo shall provide to the Director a current mailing address and shall immediately notify the Director of any change of address. Dedefo 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, Dedefo shall provide authorization for release of information and documentation to verify compliance with the terms of probation. (2) Dedefo shall abide by the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct. (3) Dedefo shall be supervised by a licensed Minnesota attorney appointed by the Director to monitor compliance with the terms of his probation. Dedefo shall provide to the Director within two weeks from the date of this decision the names of up to four attorneys who have agreed to be nominated as Dedefo's supervisor. If, after diligent effort, Dedefo is unable to locate a supervisor acceptable to the Director, the Director will seek to appoint a supervisor. Until a supervisor has signed a consent to supervise, Dedefo shall on the first day of each month provide the Director with an inventory of active client files described in paragraphs (4)-(5) below. Dedefo shall make active files available to the Director upon request. (4) Dedefo shall cooperate fully with the supervisor in his/her efforts to monitor compliance with this probation. Dedefo shall contact the supervisor and schedule a minimum of one in-person meeting per calendar quarter. Dedefo shall submit to the supervisor an inventory of all active client files by the first day of each month during the probation. With respect to each active file, the inventory shall disclose the client name, type of representation, date opened, most recent activity, next anticipated action, and anticipated closing date. Dedefo's supervisor shall file written reports with the Director at least quarterly, or at such more frequent intervals as may reasonably be requested by the Director. (5) The inventory of active client files described in paragraph (4) shall include for each litigation matter the date Dedefo served or filed a pleading, shall identify any depositions that Dedefo intends to take or defend, and shall describe any motions brought by or against Dedefo's client. Upon the request of Dedefo's supervisor, Dedefo will provide the supervisor with copies of such litigation documents. (6) Dedefo shall initiate and maintain office procedures that ensure that there are prompt responses to correspondence, telephone calls, and other important communications from clients, courts, and other persons interested in matters that Dedefo is handling, and that will ensure that Dedefo regularly reviews each and every file and completes legal matters on a timely basis. (7) Dedefo shall maintain law office and trust account books and records in compliance with Rule 1.15, MRPC, and Appendix 1 to the MRPC. 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 Lawyer Trust Account Board. Such books and records shall be made available to the Director within 30 days of this decision and thereafter shall be made available to the Director at such intervals as he deems necessary to determine compliance. So ordered. DIETZEN, J., took no part in the consideration or decision of this case.