LAWYER DISCIPLINE
NOTICE OF ORDER ON ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE In the Matter of Reciprocal Discipline of Julie L . Bruggeman , a Member of the Bar of the State of North Dakota No . 20240111
The North Dakota Supreme Court considered the report of a hearing panel of the disciplinary board recommending reciprocal discipline of a reprimand based on misconduct that occurred in Minnesota . The State of Minnesota filed an order suspending Julie L . Bruggeman indefinitely with no right to petition for reinstatement for 90 days for representing clients with a conflict of interest , providing incompetent representation and failing to properly serve defendants with the complaint , neglecting the matter , failing to communicate with clients , forging a client ’ s electronic signature on an affidavit and filing it with the court , making knowingly false statements to the clients , failing to timely withdraw from representation , failing to provide clients with a copy of the file upon termination of the representation , failing to inform the clients of costs they would be responsible for , and fabricating documents and making knowingly false statements to the director during a disciplinary investigation . Bruggeman has not renewed her license to practice law in the state of North Dakota since December 31 , 2021 . The Supreme Court accepted the disciplinary board ’ s recommendation and suspended Bruggeman .
Effective May 23 , 2024 , Bruggeman was suspended from the practice of law in North Dakota for six months and one day and ordered to comply with N . D . R . Lawyer Discipl . 6.3 regarding notice . The Court further ordered that reinstatement is governed by N . D . R . Lawyer Discipl . 4.5 .
NOTICE OF ORDER SUSPENDING ATTORNEY Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of the State of North Dakota , Petitioner , v . Paul J . Merkens , Respondent No . 20240261
The North Dakota Supreme Court considered the application of disciplinary counsel ’ s office requesting Paul J . Merkens be interim suspended from the practice of law in North Dakota until further order of the court , pending final disposition of the disciplinary proceedings predicated upon the complaint filed . The application stated the documents submitted establish grounds to believe Merkens is suffering from alcohol addiction , which has compromised his ability to represent his current clients and renders him unfit to continue in the practice of law . The Supreme Court ordered Paul J . Merkens ’ s license to practice law is SUSPENDED effective immediately , and until further order of this Court , pending final disposition of the disciplinary proceedings predicated upon the complaint filed .
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