On Thursday, December 12, 2024, the Supreme Court of North Dakota issued a suspension order for attorney David R. Spencer, who has been barred from practicing law for 30 days. This disciplinary action follows a series of violations related to conditions outlined in a previous ruling.
The case is entitled “Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of the State of North Dakota v. David R. Spencer,” with case no. 20240012.
The court’s decision was based on a report from a hearing panel of the disciplinary board, which recommended the suspension due to Spencer’s failure to comply with specific requirements established earlier in the year. Spencer was suspended for 30 days effective February 12, 2024, after being found to have violated legal practice rules.
The disciplinary board’s findings indicated that Spencer did not timely obtain a mandated mental health evaluation nor did he establish a monitoring program, both of which were part of his probation conditions. In response, the board recommended that Spencer provide proof of the monitoring program’s establishment within 30 days. Should he fail to do so, an additional 30-day suspension would automatically be imposed.
Following the hearing panel’s recommendations, the Supreme Court received the report on September 4, 2024. No objections were filed during the designated period, leading to the court’s adoption of the panel’s findings and recommendations.
In addition to the suspension, Spencer has been ordered to pay $250 to cover the costs of the disciplinary proceedings. He must also comply with specific notification requirements as directed by North Dakota’s lawyer discipline rules.
The Disposition states:
“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that David R. Spencer is SUSPENDED from the practice of law for 30 days, effective December 12, 2024.”
According to avvo.com, Mr. Spencer is a criminal defense attorney in Minot, North Dakota. He attended the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He acquired his law license in North Dakota in 2014.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
