Conrad attorney charged with 3 counts of professional misconduct by the State of Montana Office of the Disciplinary Counsel

On Monday, August 1, 2022, the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel of the State of Montana filed charges for attorney discipline against Conrad attorney Penelope Oteri alleging three counts of professional misconduct.

The case, titled In the Matter of Penelope Oteri, is filed before the Supreme Court of the State of Montana. Case numbers 19-046, 19-047. 

The charges cited Oteri’s violations of Montana Rules of Professional Conduct Rules 1.7, 3.3, and 8.4(c)(d).

The Complaint includes three (3) counts of misconduct.

The first count relates to Respondent’s misrepresentation of a truck’s value for asset valuation for purposes of dividing the marital estate while the second count Respondent’s negotiations and/or exchange of payment on the truck with dramatically different valuations, which created a conflict of interest.

The third count alleges Respondent engaged in conduct involving deceit, or misrepresentation, or is prejudicial to the administration of justice.

The Office of the Disciplinary Counsel of the State of Montana requests that the Supreme Court of the State of Montana, prayer include:

“1. That a Citation be issued to the Respondent, to which shall be attached a copy of the complaint, requiring Respondent, within twenty-one (21) days after service thereof, to file a written answer to the Complaint;

2. That a formal hearing be had on the allegations of this Complaint before an Adjudicatory Panel of the Commission;

3. That the Adjudicatory Panel of the Commission make a report of its findings and recommendations after a formal hearing to the Montana Supreme Court of the State of Montana, and, in the event the Adjudicatory Panel finds the facts warrant disciplinary action and recommends discipline, that the Commission also recommend the nature and extent of appropriate disciplinary action, including an award of costs and expenses incurred in investigating and prosecuting this matter; and,

4. For such other and further relief is deemed necessary and proper.”

As of today, according to LinkedIn Ms. Oteri represents herself as an attorney. She completed her Juris Doctor degree at the University of Montana, School of Law in 2014. Oteri practices in Conrad, Montana. She is licensed in Montana.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.