On Monday, October 23, 2023, the Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility filed a petition with the Supreme Court of Minnesota, seeking reciprocal discipline against attorney Ronald B. Frauenshuh, Jr. The petition comes after Fraunshuh faced public discipline imposed by the South Dakota Supreme Court on April 12, 2023.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Ronald B. Frauenshuh, Jr.”
Fraunshuh currently resides in South Dakota and has closed his Minnesota-based law office. The petition states that the disciplinary action was prompted by Fraunshuh’s alleged violation of multiple court orders and evidentiary rulings, which ultimately resulted in a mistrial. Shockingly, it is further claimed that Fraunshuh engaged in similar misconduct during the subsequent retrial.
The alleged misconduct is said to have violated several rules of the South Dakota Rules of Professional Conduct, specifically Rules 3.4(c) and (e), 3.5(d), and 8.4(a) and (d). These violations pertain to Fraunshuh’s alleged disregard for court orders, his misconduct during trial proceedings, and actions deemed detrimental to the administration of justice.
Under Rule 12(d) of the RLPR, a final adjudication in another jurisdiction conclusively establishes an attorney’s misconduct for the purpose of disciplinary proceedings in Minnesota, unless determined otherwise by the Court. The petition emphasizes that the South Dakota Supreme Court’s disciplinary procedures adhered to principles of due process and fundamental fairness, ensuring that Fraunshuh was duly notified of the proceedings and given an opportunity to present evidence of good character and/or mitigation.
The Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility is now seeking an order from the Minnesota Supreme Court, requiring both Ronald R. Fraunshuh, Jr. and the Director to submit their respective views within 30 days on whether the imposition of identical discipline by the Minnesota Supreme Court would be unwarranted, along with the reasons supporting their claims.
The petition reads:
“WHEREFORE, the Director respectfully prays for an order of this Court directing that respondent and the Director inform the Court within thirty days of its order whether either or both believe the imposition of identical discipline by the Minnesota Supreme Court would be unwarranted and the reasons for that claim.”
According to Avvo, Attorney Ronald B. Frauenshuh, Jr. is a family attorney who was admitted to practice law in Minnesota in 1982. He attended the Washburn University School of Law.
A copy of this filing can be found here.
