IN RE: Petition for DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST John E. BUCHHOLZ (2026)

ORDER

The Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility has filed a petition for disciplinary action alleging that respondent John E. Buchholz committed unprofessional conduct warranting public discipline. Specifically, the petition alleges that respondent failed to comply with terms of a private probation by, among other things, failing to communicate with his probation supervisor and with the Director. See Minn. R. Prof. Conduct 8.1(b); Rule 25, Rules on Lawyers Professional Responsibility (RLPR). The petition additionally alleges that respondent failed to finalize a donor agreement; failed to update his client on the status of a donor agreement; failed to respond to his client's reasonable requests for information; and failed to return unearned fees after he did not complete the representation. See Minn. R. Prof. Conduct 1.3, 1.4(a)(3)–(4), 1.5(b)(3). The petition further alleges that respondent failed to work diligently on a client engagement; failed to update the client on the status of an adoption; failed to respond to reasonable requests for information; and failed to promptly refund unearned flat fees. See Minn. R. Prof. Conduct 1.3, 1.4(a)(3)–(4), 1.5(b)(3). The petition finally alleges that respondent failed to cooperate with the Director, including by failing to respond to the Director's reasonable requests for information. See Minn. R. Prof. Conduct 8.1(b); Rule 25, RLPR. Respondent did not respond to the petition.

On April 25, 2025, we issued an order deeming the allegations in the petition admitted. See Rule 13(b), RLPR. The parties were invited to submit memoranda on the appropriate discipline to be imposed; however, only the Director filed a memorandum on the issue of the appropriate discipline.

Based upon all the files, records, and proceedings herein,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

1. Respondent John E. Buchholz is suspended from the practice of law, effective 14 days from the date of this order, with no right to petition for reinstatement for six months.

2. Respondent may petition for reinstatement pursuant to Rule 18(a)–(d), RLPR. Reinstatement is conditioned on successful completion of the written examination required for admission to the practice of law by the State Board of Law Examiners on the subject of professional responsibility, see Rule 18(e)(2), RLPR; see also Rule 4.A.(5), Rules for Admission to the Bar (requiring evidence that an applicant has successfully completed the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination); satisfaction of continuing legal education requirements, see Rule 18(e)(4), RLPR; payment of the refunds of unearned fees to the clients listed in both matters identified in the petition for disciplinary action; and, if not already completed, payment of $1,750.00 to the credit card company referenced in paragraph 42 of the petition for disciplinary action.

3. Respondent must comply with Rule 26, RLPR (requiring notice of suspension to clients, opposing counsel, and tribunals), and must pay $900 in costs pursuant to Rule 24, RLPR.

Gordon L. Moore, III, Associate Justice