Bent Karlsen failed to renew his attorney license which became inactive on April 1, 2007, yet continued to practice law in Minnesota through July 2007. There were six counts of unprofessional conduct relating to five separate client matters. Practicing law with a suspended license violates Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 5.5(a) and 8.4(d).
Karlsen also had eight different complaints from 2006-2007 for unprofessional conduct which included: neglecting client matters, failure to communicate, falsifying an affidavit, and promising to file a document but never doing so.
Karlsen’s failure to handle his client matters violated rule 1.3 3 of the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct, his failure to communicate violated Rule 1.4, and his misleading statements to clients violated 4.1.
Karlsen was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law, and was ineligible to petition for reinstatement for a minimum of 12 months, and if he so seeks reinstatement, must comply with requirements of Rule 18 and 26 RLPR. Karlsen was also ordered to pay $900 in fees.
This case teaches how important it is to always be honest and prompt with your clients. Rule 1.3 provides that a “lawyer shall act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client.” In addition, Rule 8.4 provides that “it is professional misconduct for a lawyer to engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
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