Private Tickler System

The Iowa Supreme Court suspended the license of an attorney with no possibility of reinstatement for one year. The attorney had a record of prior discipline that included a conflict of interest violation based on representing both parties in a marriage dissolution and unauthorized communication with a represented party. Here, the court found that the attorney had handled an appeal in a “deplorable” manner and had “used the clerk’s office as [the attorney’s] private tickler system.” The attorney also had taken a probate fee prematurely and made a misrepresentation to a client in a bankruptcy matter.

The court considered the attorney’s depression and attention deficit disorder as mitigation. The attorney must take and pass the MPRE as a condition of reinstatement. (Mike Frisch)