STATE OF MINNESOTA January 25, 2016
OmcEOF
IN SUPREME COURT APfti.IAlECcuna
A15-1316
In re Petition for Disciplinary Action against
John Nwabuwane Akwuba, a Minnesota Attorney,
Registration No. 0280446.
ORDER
In an order filed on November 13, 2015, we suspended respondent John
Nwabuwane Akwuba from the practice of law for a minimum of 60 days, effective 14
days from the date of the filing of the order. On November 25, 2015, we issued an order
amending the conditions of probation to which respondent would be bound upon
reinstatement. Respondent has filed an affidavit seeking reinstatement in which he states
that he has fully complied with the terms of the suspension order, except for successful
completion of the professional responsibility portion of the state bar examination. The
Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility does not oppose the
request.
Based upon all the files, records, and proceedings herein,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
1. Effective January 26, 2016, Respondent John Nwabuwane Akwuba is
conditionally reinstated to the practice of law in the State of Minnesota, subject to his
successful completion of the professional responsibility portion of the state bar
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examination, and is placed on disciplinary probation for 2 years subject to the following
terms and conditions:
(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 of this 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.
2. By November 25, 2016, respondent shall comply with Rule 18(e)(3), Rules
on Lawyers Professional Responsibility (RLPR), by filing with the Clerk of Appellate
Courts and serving upon the Director proof of respondent's successful completion of the
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professional responsibility portion of the state bar examination. Failure to do so shall
result in automatic re-suspension pending proof of successful completion of the
examination, pursuant to Rule 18(e)(3 ), RLPR.
Dated: January 25, 2016 BY THE COURT:
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David R. Stras
Associate Justice
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