EAST ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge David Dugan reinstated attorney George Ripplinger of Belleville to the district’s admission roster on June 21.
Dugan waived a requirement for Missouri Supreme Court to reinstate him first, finding Ripplinger doesn’t intend to practice in Missouri.
He found Ripplinger, at age 77, is winding down his practice except for a legal malpractice case in District Judge Stephen McGlynn’s court.
Chief District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel suspended Ripplinger last year for failure to report that Illinois Supreme Court disciplined him in 2018.
The Supreme Court found he obstructed an adversary’s discovery and violated court orders on evidence at trial in Massac County.
Missouri Supreme Court suspended him upon finding Illinois disciplined him, and Rosenstengel suspended him upon finding Missouri disciplined him.
She ruled he could apply for reinstatement after Missouri reinstated him.
This April, in St. Clair County circuit court, Ripplinger filed a $1 million malpractice complaint for client Jeffrey Gering against Gary Burger of St. Louis.
Ripplinger claimed Burger failed to preserve Gering’s cause of action for injuries a Belleville dump truck caused.
Ripplinger declared $1 million in damages.
Burger removed the complaint to district court on May 6, asserting diversity jurisdiction as a Missouri citizen.
Removal knocked Ripplinger out of the action, so he requested reinstatement.
Rosenstengel assigned Dugan and appointed Ted Gianaris of Alton as counsel.
Gianaris recommended reinstatement, stating Ripplinger was candid and took responsibility for his actions.
He stated Ripplinger had no prior discipline and cooperated in his proceedings.
He stated witnesses would testify for Ripplinger if Dugan needed a hearing.
Dugan decided he didn’t need a hearing.
He found Ripplinger had the moral qualifications, competency, and learning to practice in the district.
In the malpractice action, Burger has moved to dismiss Gering’s complaint.