An attorney from Owatonna, Minn., has been suspended from the profession for a minimum of five years for misappropriating client funds.

The action against Jeremy T. Kramer, 42, was taken Wednesday by the Minnesota Supreme Court following a disciplinary petition filed by the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility. He has been practicing law since 1998.

In addition to misappropriating funds and the interest due on that money, Kramer is accused of failing to properly reconcile his trust account, allowing a nonlawyer to sign documents on that account and failing to cooperate in his disciplinary investigation.

He admitted to the violations and agreed to the suspension, according to the disciplinary petition.

Kramer said that during the time he committed the misconduct, "events in his family were causing him extreme stress," the petition said.

On Thursday, attorney Frances Li, 64, of Minneapolis received a public reprimand from the Supreme Court for failing to supervise a suspended attorney she employed who handled funds and engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. She admitted to the allegations.

Last year, 47 attorneys in Minnesota received discipline of reprimand, probation, suspension or disbarment.

DAVID CHANEN