In Re Application for Discipline of Stearns

This is a proceeding brought by the Board of Professional Responsibility for the discipline of an attorney at law admitted to practice in the State of Minnesota, arising out of the appropriation to his own use of funds belonging to two clients without their consent.

It is undisputed that' the attorney’s derelictions stemmed from alcoholism and that prior to these two incidents the attorney was a person of ability, integrity, and good moral character. It also appears that the attorney made full disclosure of the improprieties to the Board of Professional Responsibility before any complaint had…