Opinion ID: 2126368
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Prior History of Professional Misconduct and Discipline

Text: After a disciplinary proceeding, [this court] expect[s] a renewed commitment to comprehensive ethical and professional behavior. In re Weems, 540 N.W.2d 305, 309 (Minn.1995). Accordingly, we consider a lawyer's prior discipline and professional misconduct when determining the appropriate discipline for new misconduct. Brooks, 696 N.W.2d at 88. We generally impose more severe sanctions when the current misconduct is similar to misconduct for which the attorney has already been disciplined. Id. The new professional misconduct for which we are disciplining Rhodes includes the neglect of seven client matters (including repeated failure to submit promised documents), the failure to account for client fees, and the failure to cooperate with the disciplinary investigation. Moreover, most of this new misconduct occurred at the same time as, and in the months immediately following, the previous disciplinary proceedings against Rhodes for similar violations (failing to submit two briefs and noncooperation with the disciplinary investigation). Finally, the new misconduct is also similar to the misconduct for which we admonished Rhodes in 1992 (failing to return unearned fees) and 1996 (failing to timely serve an answer to a complaint). We conclude that Rhodes's disciplinary history is a serious aggravating factor in determining the appropriate discipline in this case.