STATE OF MINNESOTA
I
December 8, 2015
IN SUPREME COURT OIRCEGF
AJIPB.LMECcuns
Al5-0740
In RePetition for Disciplinary Action against
Steven L. Handevidt, a Minnesota Attorney,
Registration No. 004037X.
ORDER
The Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility filed a petition
for disciplinary action alleging that respondent Steven L. Handevidt has committed
professional misconduct warranting public discipline-namely, failing to timely resolve
title issues in a client-related matter and failing to cooperate with the disciplinary process.
See Minn. R. Prof. Conduct 1.3, 8.l(b); Rule 25, Rules on Lawyers Professional
Responsibility (RLPR). On June 12, 2015, the court deemed the allegations in the
petition admitted after respondent did not file an answer, see Rule 13(b), RLPR, and
directed the parties to file briefs on the appropriate discipline to be imposed. The court
scheduled oral argument in the case for December 1, 20 15.
On November 25, 2015, the parties notified the court that they had entered into a
stipulation for discipline. In the stipulation, respondent waives the procedural rights
provided by Rule 14, RLPR, and unconditionally admits the allegations in the petition.
The parties jointly recommend that the appropriate discipline is a 30-day suspension
followed by 2 years of unsupervised probation.
The court has independently reviewed the file and approves the recommended
disposition.
Based upon all the files, records, and proceedings herein,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. Respondent Steven L. Handevidt is suspended from the practice of law,
effective 14 days from the date of this order, for a minimum of 30 days;
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 and disbursements pursuant to Rule
24(a), RLPR;
4. Respondent shall be eligible for reinstatement following the expiration of
the suspension period provided that, at least 15 days before the expiration of the
suspension period, respondent files with the Clerk of Appellate Courts and serves upon
the Director an affidavit establishing that he is current with continuing legal education
requirements, has fully complied with Rules 24 and 26, RLPR, and has complied with
any other conditions for reinstatement imposed by the court.
5. Upon reinstatement to the practice of law, respondent shall be subject to 2
years' probation, subject to the following conditions:
(a) Respondent shall cooperate fully with the Director's Office in its
efforts to monitor compliance with this probation and promptly respond to
the Director's correspondence by the due date. Respondent shall provide to
the Director 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 which
may come to the Director's attention. Upon the Director's request,
respondent shall provide authorization for release of information and
documentation to verity compliance with the terms of this probation;
(b) Respondent shall abide by the Minnesota Rules of Professional
Conduct; and
(c) Respondent shall initiate and maintain office procedures which
ensure that there are prompt responses to correspondence, telephone calls,
and other important communications from clients, courts, and other persons
interested in matters which respondent is handling, and which will ensure
that respondent regularly reviews each and every file and completes legal
matters on a timely basis.
6. Within 1 year of the date 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.
Dated: December 8, 2015 BY)\HE COURT:
(/l[e