Attorney Stephen J. Baird suspended by the Supreme Court of North Dakota for failing to protect clients’ interests

On Thursday, August 17, 2023, the Supreme Court of North Dakota issued a suspension order against Stephen J. Baird, a licensed attorney in the state. The court found that Baird had violated the North Dakota Rules of Professional Conduct by failing to act with reasonable diligence and promptness, failing to communicate with clients, and failing to take reasonable steps to protect the clients’ interests after the attorney-client relationship broke down.

The case is entitled “Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of the State of North Dakota v. Stephen J. Baird,” with case no. 2023 ND 159.

The charges cited North Dakota Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 1.16(e), and 5.1(c)(2). 

The court’s decision was based on a report from a hearing panel of the Disciplinary Board, which found that Baird had failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in a bankruptcy case. Baird had been hired to represent a husband and wife in their bankruptcy proceedings, but he failed to take over representation of the case after the associate attorney handling the file failed to act with reasonable diligence. Baird also failed to communicate with the clients regarding their case and failed to take reasonable steps to protect their interests after the attorney-client relationship broke down.

The court agreed with the hearing panel’s findings recommended sanctions, and ordered Baird to be suspended from the practice of law for six months and one day.

The Disposition states:

“IT IS ORDERED, that Stephen J. Baird is SUSPENDED from the practice of law for six months and one day, effective immediately. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Baird pay restitution to the clients in the amount of $3,000 within 30 days of entry of judgment.”

Baird was previously disbarred effective July 21, 2022, and again disbarred effective December 8, 2022. He was the owner and sole partner of Baird Law, which was located in Fargo, North Dakota.

According to ndcourts.gov, Mr. Baird owner and sole partner of Baird Law, which is located in Fargo, North Dakota. He attended the Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He acquired his law license in North Dakota in 2013.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.