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The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday banned veteran Twin Cities attorney Michael B. Padden from practicing law in the state after an investigation found a lengthy pattern of misconduct.

 Padden in late 2023 after some of his former clients filed complaints with the the Minnesota Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility.

Richard C. Perkins, a retired judge hired by the court to investigate Padden, found that among other infractions, the attorney had forged a client's signature on a fee contract in a criminal case and pocketed $25,000. 

In another case, Padden urged a client to skip a sentencing hearing in Wisconsin, and the defendant wound up with a much harsher sentence than he would have otherwise received.

According to documents filed in the disbarment proceedings, Padden testified at a hearing in May that he suffers from depression and PTSD, but the court said it could not consider his mental health as a mitigating factor without additional proof.

Padden told MPR News previously that he’s been the victim of a “witch hunt” by state regulators.

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The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday banned veteran Twin Cities attorney Michael B. Padden from practicing law in the state after an investigation found a lengthy pattern of misconduct. An investigator found that Padden had forged a client’s signature on a contract and urged another client to skip a sentencing hearing. 

Attorney Michael Padden represents Dan Rassier.

Court disbars Twin Cities attorney after misconduct investigation

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