On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, a petition for disciplinary action was filed before the State of Minnesota Supreme Court by the Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility against Attorney Lonny L. Johnson.
The case is titled ‘In the Matter of Lonny L. Johnson.’
Attorney Lonny L. Johnson has been charged with violation of Rule 8.4(b), Rule 1.5(b)(1), Rule 1.6(b), Rule 1.15(h), Rule 1.15(c)(5), and Rule1.6(a) of the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct.
The Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct can be viewed here.
The charges against Attorney Johnson involve two counts of unprofessional conduct warranting discipline.
The first count involves Attorney Johnson’s conviction on March 16, 2023, for Criminal Vehicular Operation resulting from driving while intoxicated and causing an accident that resulted in bodily harm. The attorney received a sentence of 16 days in jail, 14 days of home detention/electronic monitoring or work release, and three years of supervised probation. This conduct is considered detrimental to the lawyer’s professional fitness.
The second count pertains to the attorney’s representation of a client in a criminal case. Attorney Johnson failed to comply with fee agreement requirements, as no receipt was provided for a cash payment and the funds were not deposited into a trust account. Additionally, when requesting to withdraw from the representation, the attorney disclosed confidential client information that was unnecessary and violated professional conduct rules.
Back in 2008, Attorney Johnson was subjected to private probation after being found guilty of representing conflicting interests and utilizing a former client’s information without proper authorization.
For these, the Director seeks appropriate disciplinary action from the Supreme Court, along with costs and other necessary relief, in accordance with the Rules on Lawyers Professional Responsibility.
The charge reads:
“WHEREFORE, the Director respectfully prays for an order of this Court imposing appropriate discipline, awarding costs and disbursements pursuant to the Rules on Lawyers Professional Responsibility, and for such other, further or different relief as may be just and proper.”
According to Avvo.com., Attorney Lonny L. Johnson is a DUI and DWI attorney in Savage, Minnesota. He acquired his license in Minnesota in 2004.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
