On Tuesday, April 25, 2023, the State of Minnesota Supreme Court suspended Milaca attorney Richard W. Curott for professional misconduct. The case is entitled “In re Petition for Disciplinary Action against Richard W. Curott.”
The charges cited Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15, 8.1(b), and 8.4(d).
The Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.
According to the court document, a petition for disciplinary action has been lodged by the Director of the Office of Lawyers Responsibility, accusing Curott of engaging in professional misconduct that warrants public discipline. The specific allegations include non-cooperation with the Director in three disciplinary investigations, failure to maintain trust account books and records, mishandling funds belonging to 14 clients, commingling personal funds with trust account funds, using an unauthorized firm name, and failing to provide correct tax documents to a law firm employee.
A stipulation for discipline has been agreed upon by the parties, wherein Curott willingly waived his rights as outlined in Rule 14, RLPR, and fully acknowledged the allegations made in the petition, except for a specific paragraph that the Director has withdrawn. Both parties suggest that a 90-day suspension is the appropriate disciplinary action and that Curott must subsequently submit a reinstatement petition.
The court has independently reviewed the file and approved the jointly recommended disposition.
The Disposition states:
“Respondent Richard W. Curott is indefinitely suspended from the practice of law, effective as of the date of this order, with no right to petition for reinstatement for 90 days.”
Prior to the suspension, Mr. Richard W. Curott practiced in Milaca, Minnesota. According to his LinkedIn profile, he attended Cornell Law School, graduating in 1979. Curott has been admitted to the Minnesota Bar in 1979.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
