A longtime Fargo lawyer must stop practicing law, the state's top court ruled Wednesday.
The North Dakota Supreme Court ordered the interim suspension of Jane Sundby's license following claims she neglected her clients.
In a Wednesday ruling, justices ordered an appointment be made to protect the interests of Sundby's clients.
The Supreme Court's Disciplinary Board filed its application for the interim suspension of Sundby's license Tuesday.
Sundby faces formal proceedings for violating state laws about communication, safekeeping property, fees, bar admission and disciplinary matters. The lawyer hasn't replied to the allegations.
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Sundby's clients have filed three disciplinary complaints against her and "it appears that Sundby has neglected her clients since August 2002," a Supreme Court order states.
The disciplinary board argues Sundby "has abandoned her law practice and her conduct presents a substantial threat of irreparable harm to the public," the order states.
Sundby could not be reached for comment. An answering machine message at her office states she would be working from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. last Friday.
State law allows her to request a hearing to prove her license should be reinstated.
In 1999, Sundby received the Advocacy Achievement Award by Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota for her work as a Judicare attorney.
Legal Services serves low-income and elderly residents in 22 northwestern Minnesota counties and the Judicare Panel, a group of 260 private attorneys in the region.
Sundby graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Law. In October 1987, she was admitted as a lawyer in North Dakota.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Steven P. Wagner at (701) 241-5542
