You’ve Got To Be Carefully Taught
The Iowa Supreme Court offers instruction to its Bar in sanctioning an attorney
This attorney disciplinary matter is a lesson in what happens when an attorney abuses the legal system in an effort to resolve his clients’ cases. He made misrepresentations to the court and filed meritless motions to unreasonably delay various hearings. Likewise, he neglected to keep his clients informed and repeatedly disparaged opposing counsel with unsubstantiated claims. In the midst of all this, and before the Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board (Board) filed its complaint in this matter, his license was administratively suspended for failure to file annual reports regarding continuing legal education and client security funds.
Just as he did not show up for trial in one of the matters at issue, the attorney did not participate in these disciplinary proceedings. His decision not to participate left the grievance commission with little choice but to deem the allegations admitted, and the commission recommended an eighteen-month suspension of the attorney’s license. On our de novo review, we find the same violations of our ethics rules and impose a twelve-month suspension.
Underlying matters
Jeffrey Janssen obtained his Iowa law license in 2016 and maintained a private law practice in Des Moines alongside another attorney. This case arises from Janssen’s representation of one client in a child support matter and another client in a child custody matter.
In the support matter
The [district ] court ordered Janssen to pay Page $1,000 “as a sanction which represents a portion of her unnecessarily incurred attorney’s fees” and “ought to quell bogus motions.” Janssen took more than a year to pay the sanction and accrued interest.
The custody case
The district court granted Janssen’s motion to withdraw but denied Lockhart’s motion to amend, characterizing Lockhart’s actions in signing the documents from Janssen as “deceitful separate and apart from Mr. Janssen’s actions.” Lockhart ultimately proceeded without counsel, which resulted in the entry of an order on November 12 establishing paternity and awarding Harden with primary physical care of the child, as well as setting visitation and child support.
Respondent did not participate in the disciplinary hearing. (Mike Frisch)