On Thursday, March 28, 2024, the Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility filed a Petition for Disciplinary Action against attorney Samuel A. McCloud with the Minnesota Supreme Court, alleging misconduct such as client neglect, failure to communicate plea deals, misrepresenting settlement negotiations to a court, and refusing to refund an unearned fee.
The case is entitled “In Re Petition for Disciplinary Action against Samuel A. McCloud.”
Specifically, the petition cites McCloud’s representation of a client charged with two DWIs, where McCloud failed to timely notify the prosecutor’s office he represented the client and did not adequately communicate multiple plea offers to the client that later expired. It also alleges McCloud made a false statement to the court about having settlement discussions with the prosecutor. When the client then terminated McCloud’s services, McCloud refused to refund the unearned portion of an advance fee paid. The petition asserts these actions could violate rules related to diligence, communication, dishonesty, and fees.
The complaint provides further details of the alleged rule breaches during McCloud’s representation in the DWI case. If proven, they could result in public discipline from the Supreme Court. McCloud has received prior sanctions and the petition seeks appropriate sanctions and costs given his disciplinary history. The Supreme Court will review the petition and allegations.
According to avvo.com, Mr. McCloud is a criminal defense attorney in Cambridge, Minnesota. He attended William Mitchell College of Law and acquired his law license in Minnesota in 1977.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
