On Thursday, October 26, 2023, Timothy P. Hill, a lawyer practicing in North Dakota and Minnesota, was reprimanded by the North Dakota Supreme Court for violations of the rules of professional conduct related to handling client fees.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Timothy P. Hill,” with case no. 20230296.
On August 28, 2023, the North Dakota Disciplinary Board notified the state Supreme Court that Hill should face reciprocal discipline for actions that resulted in a 12-month suspension from practicing law in Minnesota. The Minnesota suspension stemmed from Hill’s failing to deposit flat fee payments from clients into a trust account, as required by Minnesota’s rules of professional conduct.
Hill argued to the North Dakota Supreme Court that the misconduct did not warrant an identical 12-month suspension in this state. On August 9, 2023, the Disciplinary Board and Hill entered into a stipulation agreeing the actions would warrant substantially different discipline in North Dakota considering differences in rules regarding flat fee agreements at the time.
In its October 26, 2023 order, the North Dakota Supreme Court agreed the misconduct warranted different treatment and issued Hill a public reprimand instead. The court noted Rule 1.5 of the state’s rules of professional conduct had been amended effective July 1, 2023, to conform with standards for handling flat fee agreements.
According to avvo.com, Mr. Hill is a child custody attorney in Fargo, North Dakota. He attended the University of North Dakota School of Law. He acquired his law license in North Dakota in 1987.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
