Father – Son Conflict Draws Reprimand

An agreed public reprimand has been imposed by the Indiana Supreme Court on these facts

At all relevant times, Respondent was dating “Father.” In November 2018, Respondent began representing Father in an estate matter. In January 2019, Respondent began representing “Son 1” as second chair in two criminal matters, and by March 2019 she was representing Son 1 in all his pending criminal matters as well as a parenting time matter. In January 2020, Father was arrested after an altercation with Son 1 and “Son 2,” charged with 13 felony counts, and ordered to have no unauthorized contact with Sons 1 and 2. Despite Son 1 being listed as a victim, Respondent filed an appearance on Father’s behalf. For the next several months, Respondent continued to represent both Father and Son 1, including at one point attempting to modify a no-contact order to allow Son 1 to work for Father. Respondent withdrew from Son 1’s representation in July 2020 but did not withdraw from Father’s representation until August 2021.

The admitted violations were lack of diligence and conflict of interest. (Mike Frisch)