IN THE SUPREME COURT OF IOWA
No. 15–0156
Filed May 1, 2015
Amended July 1, 2015
IOWA SUPREME COURT ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY BOARD,
Complainant,
vs.
KENNETH J. WEILAND, JR.,
Respondent.
On review of the report of the Grievance Commission of the
Supreme Court of Iowa.
The grievance commission reports an attorney committed ethical
misconduct and recommends a public reprimand. ATTORNEY
REPRIMANDED.
Charles L. Harrington and Elizabeth E. Quinlan, Des Moines, for
complainant.
Kenneth J. Weiland, Jr., Des Moines, pro se. 2
ZAGER, Justice.
The Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board (Board)
charged attorney Kenneth J. Weiland Jr. with violations of several of our
ethical rules based on his actions in an appeal filed with this court. After
a hearing, a division of the Grievance Commission of the Supreme Court
of Iowa found Weiland’s conduct was prejudicial to the administration of
justice in violation of Iowa Rule of Professional Conduct 32:8.4(d), and
recommended we impose a public reprimand. Upon our de novo review,
we concur in the commission’s finding that Weiland’s conduct was
prejudicial to the administration of justice in violation of rule 32:8.4(d).
Additionally, we conclude Weiland failed to make reasonable efforts to
expedite litigation consistent with the interests of his client in violation of
Iowa Rule of Professional Conduct 32:3.2. Ultimately, we agree with the
commission that a public reprimand is appropriate.
I. Factual Background and Proceedings.
Weiland was admitted to practice law in Iowa in 1994. He
currently works in Des Moines, as a solo practitioner. His practice
includes representing clients in a variety of matters, including family law.
The Board’s complaint in this case stems from Weiland’s representation
of Ryan Pierce in an appeal from a domestic relations case.
Weiland’s representation of Pierce began in 2012 when Weiland
agreed to represent Pierce in a domestic relations case. The case
proceeded to trial on December 17, 2012. The district court entered a
decree in the matter on January 2, 2013. After reviewing the decree,
Weiland concluded the district court failed to address an issue he
believed it was required to address. Accordingly, Weiland informed
Pierce that there were sufficient grounds to appeal the case. Based on 3
Weiland’s advice, Pierce elected to appeal the case. Weiland filed a notice
of appeal on January 31.
After filing the notice of appeal, Weiland failed to file and serve a
combined certificate or pay the filing fee as required by our rules of
appellate procedure. See Iowa R. App. P. 6.702(1)(a) (establishing the
filing fee for appeals and requiring the appellant to “pay the fee . . .
within seven days after filing the notice of appeal”); id. r. 6.804(1)
(requiring the appellant to complete and file a combined certificate
“within seven days after filing the notice of appeal,” and further requiring
the appellant to “serve the combined certificate on all parties to the
appeal and on each court reporter from whom a transcript was ordered”).
On March 8, the clerk of the Iowa Supreme Court sent Weiland a notice
of default informing him of the deficiency and assessing a $150 penalty
against him. The notice further informed Weiland that if he failed to
remedy the default within fifteen days, the clerk would dismiss the
appeal for want of prosecution. See id. r. 6.1202(1)(a) (“If the appellant
fails to cure the default, the clerk shall enter an order dismissing the
appeal.”).
On the morning of March 25, Weiland called the court reporter that had reported the trial, Lisa McCarville, and requested a transcript of
the Pierce trial. Later that morning, McCarville sent Weiland a follow-up
email in which she stated that after their phone conversation, she
reviewed her records and determined the transcript would cost $220.50.
The email further stated that she would need a copy of the combined
certificate. Additionally, the email stated, “I will get to work on the
transcript as soon as I receive your deposit.” That same day, Weiland
filed a combined certificate with the clerk in which he certified that “the 4
Transcript ha[d] been ordered.” He did not serve McCarville with the
combined certificate.
On June 4, the clerk sent both Weiland and McCarville a notice of
failure to timely file transcript notifying them that McCarville had not
filed the transcript by the deadline. See id. r. 6.803(3)(c) (establishing the
deadline for filing transcript as forty days after service of the combined
certificate). On June 5, McCarville filed a reporter’s application for an
extension of time to file a transcript. In the application, she certified that
she “ha[d] not received an order for transcript from . . . Weiland” because
he had not served her with a copy of the combined certificate. See id. r.
6.803(1) (requiring the “appellant [to] use the combined certificate to
order in writing from the court reporter a transcript”). The application
also noted that she had not received a deposit for the transcript.
On June 17, this court filed an order requiring Weiland to “serve
court reporter McCarville with the combined certificate and pay her
required deposit” by June 27. The order further stated, “[F]ailure to pay
[for] the transcript should be reported by the court reporter to this court,
and will result in [the] appeal being dismissed for appellant’s failure to
comply with the appellate rules.” On July 8, eleven days after the
deadline, McCarville filed a reporter’s report of nonpayment in which she
certified that as of July 3, Weiland had not sent her a combined
certificate or paid the deposit. Accordingly, on July 18, this court filed
an order dismissing the appeal for failure to comply with our appellate
rules and instructing the clerk to forward a copy of the order to the
Board for further action. See id. r. 6.1202(3) (“Following the dismissal of
an appeal for failure to comply with an appellate deadline where the
appellant was represented by an attorney, the clerk . . . shall forward 5
certified copies of the docket, the notice of default which resulted in
dismissal, and the order of dismissal to the . . . Board.”).
Based on these facts, the Board filed a complaint on August 11,
2014. In its complaint, the Board alleged Weiland violated Iowa Rules of
Professional Conduct 32:1.3 (requiring diligence), 32:3.2 (requiring
reasonable efforts to expedite litigation), 32:3.3(a)(1) (prohibiting false
statements to a tribunal), 32:3.4(c) (requiring compliance with the rules
of a tribunal), 1 and 32:8.4(d) (prohibiting conduct prejudicial to the
administration of justice). Weiland filed his answer on September 10. In
his answer, he admitted all the factual allegations in the Board’s
complaint. However, he denied that his conduct violated any ethical
rules. Additionally, Wieland asserted that he communicated to Pierce the
need for Pierce to provide him with funds for the transcript on multiple
occasions, but that Pierce had failed to do so. He also asserted that the
reason he failed to dismiss the appeal was that he wanted to give Pierce
“every opportunity to appeal his case.”
The commission conducted an evidentiary hearing in November.
At the hearing, the following witnesses testified: Christine Mayberry,
deputy clerk for the Iowa appellate courts; McCarville; and Weiland.
Mayberry testified that between 1998 and 2014 Weiland has received
forty notices of default for failing to comply with deadlines in various
appeals. She testified that based on her fifteen years of experience as
deputy clerk, this is an excessive number of notices of default. She
1Priorto the hearing before the commission, the Board abandoned its claim that Weiland’s conduct violated rule 32:3.4(c). Accordingly, we do not consider whether Weiland’s conduct violated rule 32:3.4(c). See Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Keele, 795 N.W.2d 507, 511 (Iowa 2011) (declining to address rule violations abandoned by the Board on appeal). 6
further testified that when the clerk’s office is required to send default
notices, it causes “a significant drain on [the office’s] workload.” 2
McCarville testified that when a party files an appeal, the court
reporter in the underlying matter typically receives a copy of the
combined certificate. This combined certificate notifies the court reporter
that a party has filed an appeal for which a transcript is needed and
provides the court reporter with details as to the dates of future
deadlines. She testified that in Pierce’s case she did not receive a
combined certificate. Instead, Weiland called her to request a transcript.
She testified that after receiving the call from Weiland, she found the
appeal online and discovered that Weiland had recently filed the
combined certificate. She then emailed Weiland and requested that he
send her a copy of the combined certificate and informed him of the cost
of the transcript.
McCarville gave conflicting testimony as to whether she considered
the transcript ordered after speaking with Weiland on the phone on
March 25. Initially, she testified that she requires the deposit to be paid
prior to considering the transcript ordered. She testified that she
typically requires a deposit in advance because doing so ensures that she
receives payment for her services. However, she then testified that after
her conversation with Weiland, she “considered [Weiland to have] ordered
the transcript verbally.” She further testified that although she was
waiting for both the combined certificate and her deposit, she probably
2Weiland objected to the admission of this testimony and to related documentary evidence. He argued the commission could not use this evidence to find he committed an ethical violation. However, he acknowledged the commission could use this evidence “in regards to any disposition if there is a finding [he] acted in an unethical manner.” Thus, as did the commission, we consider this evidence only as it relates to our consideration of the appropriate sanction. 7
began doing some preliminary work on the transcript to ensure she did
not miss any deadlines.
Weiland admitted that he failed to serve McCarville with the
combined certificate. However, he maintained that he did not know our
appellate rules required him to do so. Additionally, he testified that
when he spoke with McCarville on the phone on March 25, he believed
he had ordered the transcript. He testified that when he certified in the
combined certificate that he had ordered the transcript, he knew he had
not paid McCarville. However, he believed that ordering the transcript
and paying for the transcript were distinct concepts. Accordingly, in
certifying on the combined certificate that he had ordered the transcript,
he “didn’t believe [he] was lying to the Court . . . or misrepresenting
anything.”
Weiland did not dispute receiving the various notices of default in
Pierce’s appeal. However, he testified that Pierce had been unable to
supply him with the necessary funds for either the filing fee or the
transcript. He further testified that he advanced Pierce $150 for the
filing fee and that Pierce eventually reimbursed him $100 of that
amount. However, Pierce never provided him funds for the transcript,
despite Weiland’s repeated requests that he do so. Weiland testified that
he did not dismiss the appeal after the June 27 deadline because he
believed Pierce still wanted to pursue it, and he hoped Pierce would
“come up with [the] money.” Accordingly, Weiland “wasn’t trying to
cause the Court problems.” Instead, he was trying to protect Pierce’s
appeal rights by “gett[ing] as much time for him to [obtain the funds as
possible].”
Weiland expressed remorse for failing to dismiss Pierce’s appeal
once he realized Pierce would not be able to obtain funds for the 8
transcript. He testified that when a client is unable to obtain funds for
an appeal in the future, he will withdraw as counsel instead of repeatedly
missing deadlines. He further noted that although he has a history of
failing to meet appellate deadlines, he has recently improved his
compliance with appellate deadlines. Specifically, he highlighted that
many of the notices of default he has received in the past occurred
“closer to the early 2000s.” However, he admitted he received notices of
default in two other appeals in 2014 for failing to file the required
combined certificates. Finally, Weiland acknowledged that the Board
privately admonished him in 2003 for failing to dismiss an appeal after
the client decided not to pursue it. However, he distinguished the
instant case from this prior misconduct, noting that in this case his
client wanted to pursue the appeal, but was unable to obtain the
necessary funds to do so.
The commission issued its written findings of fact, conclusions of
law, and recommended sanction on January 27, 2015. It concluded the
Board failed to present sufficient evidence to demonstrate Weiland’s
conduct violated rules 32:1.3 (requiring diligence), 32:3.2 (requiring
reasonable efforts to expedite litigation), and 32:3.3(a)(1) (prohibiting
false statements to a tribunal). Specifically, it concluded Weiland’s
failure to dismiss the appeal was an attempt to protect the interests of
his client. Additionally, it credited Weiland’s testimony that he had
verbally ordered the transcript on March 25. Accordingly, the
commission concluded that Weiland had not neglected Pierce’s case or
knowingly made a false statement in the combined certificate. However,
the commission concluded Weiland’s conduct violated rule 32:8.4(d)
(prohibiting conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice).
Specifically, it reasoned that Weiland had a duty to dismiss the appeal by 9
the July 27 deadline once he realized Pierce would not be able to obtain
funds for the transcript, instead of relying on the clerk to dismiss the
appeal. The commission credited Weiland for taking responsibility for his
actions. It also credited Weiland for his commitment to require clients to
pay him filing and transcript fees in advance to avoid similar problems in
the future. Finally, the commission credited Weiland for maintaining a
law practice that allows persons of modest means to obtain access to the
courts at a modest rate. The commission recommended we publicly
reprimand Weiland.
II. Standard of Review.
Our review of attorney disciplinary proceedings is de novo. Iowa
Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Conroy, 845 N.W.2d 59, 63 (Iowa
2014). The Board must prove attorney misconduct by a convincing
preponderance of the evidence, a burden greater than a preponderance of
the evidence but less than proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Iowa
Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Thomas, 844 N.W.2d 111, 113 (Iowa
2014). We give the commission’s findings and recommendations
respectful consideration, but we are not bound by them. Iowa Supreme
Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Ricklefs, 844 N.W.2d 689, 696 (Iowa 2014).
“Upon proof of misconduct, we may impose a greater or lesser sanction
than the sanction recommended by the commission.” Iowa Supreme Ct.
Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Templeton, 784 N.W.2d 761, 764 (Iowa 2010).
III. Review of Alleged Ethical Violations.
The Board alleged numerous violations of the Iowa Rules of
Professional Conduct based on Weiland’s conduct in the Pierce appeal.
Weiland admitted each of the factual allegations in the Board’s
complaint. “Factual matters admitted by an attorney in an answer are
deemed established, regardless of the evidence in the record.” Iowa 10
Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Nelson, 838 N.W.2d 528, 532 (Iowa
2013). We turn now to address the individual rule violations alleged by
the Board.
A. Rule 32:1.3: Reasonable Diligence and Promptness. This
rule requires a lawyer to “act with reasonable diligence and promptness
in representing a client.” Iowa R. Prof’l Conduct 32:1.3. We have
recognized that an attorney violates rule 32:1.3 when he or she neglects
a client matter. 3 See Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Dolezal,
796 N.W.2d 910, 915 (Iowa 2011). Generally, neglect involves “ ‘a
consistent failure to perform those obligations that a lawyer has
assumed, or a conscious disregard for the responsibilities a lawyer owes
to a client.’ ” Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Lickiss, 786
N.W.2d 860, 867 (Iowa 2010) (quoting Iowa Supreme Ct. Bd. of Prof’l
Ethics & Conduct v. Moorman, 683 N.W.2d 549, 551 (Iowa 2004)).
“[O]rdinary negligence does not constitute neglect.” Iowa Supreme Ct.
Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Taylor, 814 N.W.2d 259, 265 (Iowa 2012). Thus,
“[a] violation of this rule arises not from inadvertent acts or omissions or
from missing a single deadline, but from consistently failing to perform
functions required of an attorney or from repeatedly missing deadlines.”
Conroy, 845 N.W.2d at 64.
We have previously held that “even if a client no longer wants a
matter to be pursued, it is neglect for the attorney to allow the matter to
languish, without terminating it.” Dolezal, 796 N.W.2d at 915. We have
explained:
3“The Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct no longer expressly refer to neglect. Nevertheless, we have continued to identify and sanction attorney neglect.” Conroy, 845 N.W.2d at 63 (citation omitted). We do so under rule 32:1.3. See Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Van Ginkel, 809 N.W.2d 96, 102 (Iowa 2012). Thus, neglect cases under a prior version of our ethical rules provide “precedent for the interpretation and application of rule 32:1.3.” Id. 11 Regardless of the client’s interest in the case, the onus is on the attorney to comply with the deadlines provided in the appellate rules. Unless the court relieves an attorney of his or her responsibility to the client on appeal, as an officer of the court, the attorney is required to file the appropriate documents and briefs. Anything less may be considered neglect. . . . [S]imply because a client does not want to pursue the case does not relieve the attorney from taking steps necessary to end the matter.
Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Lesyshen, 712 N.W.2d 101,
105 (Iowa 2006) (citations omitted).
However, when an attorney fails to comply with appellate deadlines
or dismiss an appeal to protect a client’s interests, we will not find such
conduct amounts to neglect. See Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd.
v. Wright, 758 N.W.2d 227, 230 (Iowa 2008). For example, in Wright,
after an attorney filed a notice of appeal, he contacted the court reporter
in the underlying matter to order the transcript. Id. at 228. The court
reporter informed the attorney that she would not prepare the transcript
until she received payment. Id. The attorney contacted his client who
reported that she did not have funds for the transcript, but that she
would attempt to borrow them. Id. at 228–29. The attorney then filed a
combined certificate in which he certified that he would pay for the
transcript in accordance with our appellate rules. Id. at 229. However,
he failed to serve the combined certificate on the court reporter. Id. As a
result, the court reporter did not prepare the transcript by the deadline. Id. The attorney then also failed to file the required proof brief and
designation of the contents of the appendix by the deadline. Id.
Accordingly, the clerk sent the attorney a notice of default informing him
that if he did not cure the various deficiencies within fifteen days, the
appeal would be dismissed. Id. The attorney again contacted his client,
who was still unable to obtain funds for the transcript. Id. The attorney 12
did not cure the default by the deadline, and the clerk dismissed the
appeal. Id.
We concluded the attorney’s conduct did not amount to neglect.
Id. at 230. We explained:
[I]t was [the client’s] failure to pay for the transcript, not [the attorney]’s actions, that prevented [the client] from proceeding with the appeal. Under the facts presented here, we find the Board failed to prove [the attorney] neglected [the client]’s interests. [This attorney] in fact protected [his client]’s interest by commencing and maintaining the appeal notwithstanding her failure to pay his fee as she had agreed, and by allowing her time . . . to raise the funds to pay for the transcript.
Id.
In this case, as in Wright, we do not find Weiland’s conduct
amounted to neglect in violation of rule 32:1.3. The commission credited
Weiland’s testimony that his failure to comply with various appellate
deadlines and timely dismiss the appeal was the result of his attempt to
protect his client’s interests. Specifically, the commission found that
Pierce wanted to pursue the appeal through June and that Weiland
wanted to afford Pierce every opportunity to obtain funds for the
transcript. We give deference to the commission’s credibility
determination because the commission heard Weiland’s live testimony
and observed his demeanor. See Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd.
v. Clarity, 838 N.W.2d 648, 659 (Iowa 2013). Thus, the record
established that Weiland attempted to protect the interests of his client
by commencing and maintaining the appeal, advancing Pierce funds for
the filing fee, and allowing Pierce time to raise funds for the transcript.
Under the facts presented here, we find the Board failed to prove Weiland
violated rule 32:1.3. 13
B. Rule 32:3.2: Expedite Litigation. This rule provides, “A
lawyer shall make reasonable efforts to expedite litigation consistent with
the interests of the client.” Iowa R. Prof’l Conduct 32:3.2. We require
lawyers to make reasonable efforts to expedite litigation because
“[d]ilatory practices bring the administration of justice into disrepute.”
Id. cmt. [1]. In failure-to-expedite cases, “[t]he question is whether a
competent lawyer acting in good faith would regard the course of action
as having some substantial purpose other than delay.” Id. An attorney
violates this rule when he or she fails to “file documents, pursue appeals,
and meet deadlines.” Conroy, 845 N.W.2d at 65. “The Board is only
required to prove the attorney’s intent if the sole allegation is an attorney
engaged in particular conduct for the purpose of frustrating the judicial
process.” Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Barnhill, 847 N.W.2d
466, 484 (Iowa 2014).
The commission concluded that Weiland did not violate rule
32:3.2. We disagree. The record showed Weiland failed to timely file the
combined certificate as required by our appellate rules, failed to serve the
combined certificate on the court reporter as required by our appellate
rules and as ordered by this court, and ultimately allowed the appeal to
languish and be administratively dismissed. We have found violations of
this rule in similar situations. See, e.g., Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y
Disciplinary Bd. v. Kieffer-Garrison, 847 N.W.2d 489, 493 (Iowa 2014)
(finding the attorney’s “serial failures to comply with the requirements of
this court’s procedural rules governing the timely presentation and
progression of appeals constituted a violation of her obligation to
demonstrate reasonable efforts to expedite numerous appeals consistent
with her clients’ interests”); Conroy, 845 N.W.2d at 65 (collecting cases
and finding a rule 32:3.2 violation when the attorney failed to cure 14
defaults in six appeals); Dolezal, 796 N.W.2d at 914 (finding a rule 32:3.2
violation when the attorney failed to follow through with or dismiss
appeals and disregarded default notices). Although Weiland failed to
comply with our appellate procedures in an effort to protect Pierce’s
interests, the comments to the rule disclaim such motivation as a
legitimate interest of a client. See Iowa R. Prof’l Conduct 32:3.2 cmt. [1]
(“Realizing financial or other benefit from otherwise improper delay in
litigation is not a legitimate interest of the client.”); accord 2 Geoffrey C.
Hazard, Jr. et al., The Law of Lawyering § 31.03, at 31-4 to -5 (4th ed.
2015) (recognizing that a client’s interest in delay itself is not “entitled to
weight in assessing the propriety of a lawyer’s tactics on behalf of the
client”). Expediting an appeal by meeting deadlines, even when the client
would benefit from delay, is consistent with the legitimate interest of the
client and is therefore required by the rule. Here, Weiland elevated the
client’s interests over his obligations to the court. Weiland violated rule
32:3.2. 4
C. Rule 32:8.4(d): Conduct Prejudicial to the Administration
of Justice. This rule prohibits an attorney from engaging in “conduct
that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.” Iowa R. Prof’l Conduct 32:8.4(d). “There is no typical form of conduct that prejudices
the administration of justice.” Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v.
Parrish, 801 N.W.2d 580, 587 (Iowa 2011). Acts we have generally
considered prejudicial to the administration of justice have “hampered
the efficient and proper operation of the courts or of ancillary systems
upon which the courts rely.” Wright, 758 N.W.2d at 230 (internal
4As the Board did not contend Weiland engaged in conduct for the purpose of frustrating the judicial process, we need not address whether he acted with such intent. See Kieffer-Garrison, 847 N.W.2d at 493 n.2. 15
quotation marks omitted). “Examples of conduct prejudicial to the
administration of justice include paying an adverse expert witness for
information regarding an opponent’s case preparation, demanding a
release in a civil action as a condition of dismissing criminal charges,
and knowingly making false or reckless charges against a judicial
officer.” Templeton, 784 N.W.2d at 768. Most relevant here, “When an
attorney’s failure to comply with appellate deadlines results in an
administrative dismissal, his actions are prejudicial to the administration
of justice.” Dolezal, 796 N.W.2d at 914; accord Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y
Disciplinary Bd. v. Tompkins, 733 N.W.2d 661, 668 (Iowa 2007) (finding
an attorney acted in a manner prejudicial to the administration of justice
when he failed to prosecute or move to dismiss an appeal he believed to
be without merit); Iowa Supreme Ct. Bd. of Prof’l Ethics & Conduct v.
Daggett, 653 N.W.2d 377, 380 (Iowa 2002) (finding an attorney acted in a
manner prejudicial to the administration of justice when he failed to
comply with appellate deadlines). This is so even when such conduct
does not amount to neglect. See Taylor, 814 N.W.2d at 267 (“[A]n
attorney can be in violation of rule 32:8.4(d) when an appeal is
administratively dismissed even though the attorney did not commit
neglect in the handling of the appeal.”); Wright, 758 N.W.2d at 230–31
(finding an attorney’s reliance on the clerk to dismiss an appeal when the
client could not raise funds for the transcript was prejudicial to the
administration of justice, despite the fact such conduct did not amount
to neglect).
The commission concluded Weiland’s failure to dismiss the appeal
by the June 27 deadline established by this court’s June 17 order
violated rule 32:8.4(d). We agree. Although Weiland’s conduct did not
amount to neglect, Weiland was not relieved “ ‘from taking steps to end 16
the matter.’ ” Wright, 758 N.W.2d at 231 (quoting Lesyshen, 712 N.W.2d
at 105). On June 17, this court ordered Weiland to “serve court reporter
McCarville with the combined certificate and pay her required deposit” by
June 27. The June 17 order further notified Weiland that “failure to pay
[for] the transcript . . . [would] result in [the] appeal being dismissed.”
Weiland knew by the June 27 deadline that Pierce would be unable to
pay for the transcript, yet he took no action to dismiss the appeal. His
inaction caused the clerk to prepare and file an order three weeks later
accomplishing the dismissal. “ ‘Our case law makes it clear that an
attorney cannot use a default notice to dismiss an appeal in lieu of the
attorney’s obligation to comply with our appellate rules.’ ” Id. at 231
(quoting Tompkins, 733 N.W.2d at 669). Weiland violated rule 32:8.4(d).
D. Rule 32:3.3(a)(1): Candor Toward the Tribunal. This rule
prohibits a lawyer from “knowingly . . . mak[ing] a false statement of fact
or law to a tribunal.” Iowa R. Prof’l Conduct 32:3.3(a)(1). Because the
lawyer must knowingly make the false statement, the lawyer must have
“actual knowledge of the fact in question.” Iowa R. Prof’l Conduct
32:1.0(f) (defining the term “knowingly”). A lawyer can make a false
statement to the court either orally or in writing. See Iowa Supreme Ct.
Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. McGinness, 844 N.W.2d 456, 462 (Iowa 2014).
We found a violation of this rule when a lawyer falsely certified to the
clerk of this court that she had filed an application for further review.
Kieffer-Garrison, 847 N.W.2d at 494. We have also found violations
when a lawyer filed falsely notarized documents with the court, when a lawyer forged a guilty plea for a defendant he was representing, and when a lawyer filed a document with the court misrepresenting the marital status of a decedent.
McGinness, 844 N.W.2d at 462. 17
The Board alleges Weiland violated this rule by falsely certifying in
the combined certificate he filed with the clerk that “the Transcript ha[d]
been ordered.” In fact, he had not served McCarville with the combined
certificate or made the necessary deposit at the time he filed the
combined certificate. The commission concluded the Board failed to
show that Weiland possessed the requisite knowledge to have violated
this rule. Specifically, the commission credited the testimony of both
Weiland and McCarville, each of whom testified that when Weiland
contacted McCarville by phone on the morning of March 25, Weiland
verbally ordered the transcript. Thus, the commission concluded that at
the time Weiland certified in the combined certificate that he had ordered
the transcript, he believed that he had done so.
We agree with the commission that the Board failed to present
sufficient evidence to establish a violation of this rule. Here again, with
respect to the testimony of both Weiland and McCarville, we defer to the
commission’s credibility determinations because it heard their live
testimony and observed their demeanor. See Clarity, 838 N.W.2d at 659.
At the hearing before the commission, McCarville gave conflicting
testimony as to whether Weiland ordered the transcript during their
phone conversation. However, she ultimately conceded she “considered
[Weiland to have] ordered the transcript verbally.” Weiland testified he
believed he had ordered the transcript at that time as well. Nothing in
the email McCarville sent to Weiland is inconsistent with Weiland having
placed a verbal order. Thus, the record showed that at the time Weiland
certified in the combined certificate that he had ordered the transcript,
he reasonably believed he had done so. We find the Board failed to
establish that Weiland possessed the requisite knowledge to have
violated rule 32:8.4(d). 18
IV. Consideration of Appropriate Sanction.
Having found the foregoing rule violations, we now consider the
appropriate sanction. The commission found only a single violation of
our rules and recommended we publicly reprimand Weiland. We give
respectful consideration to the commission’s recommendation. Ricklefs,
844 N.W.2d at 699. However, the issue of appropriate sanction is
exclusively within this court’s authority. Id.
“There is no standard sanction for a particular type of misconduct,
and though prior cases can be instructive, we ultimately determine an
appropriate sanction based on the particular circumstances of each
case.” Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Earley, 774 N.W.2d
301, 308 (Iowa 2009). As we have previously stated,
In considering an appropriate sanction, this court considers all the facts and circumstances, including the nature of the violations, the attorney’s fitness to practice law, deterrence, the protection of society, the need to uphold public confidence in the justice system, and the need to maintain the reputation of the bar.
McGinness, 844 N.W.2d at 463. “Where there are multiple violations of
our disciplinary rules, enhanced sanctions may be imposed.” Iowa
Supreme Ct. Bd. of Prof’l Ethics & Conduct v. Alexander, 574 N.W.2d 322,
327 (Iowa 1998). Further, we “consider mitigating and aggravating
circumstances, including companion violations, repeated neglect, and
the attorney’s disciplinary history.” Conroy, 845 N.W.2d at 66.
In this case, Weiland failed to comply with appellate deadlines in a
single matter and failed to dismiss his client’s appeal. Instead, Wieland
allowed the appeal to be administratively dismissed. Sanctions for
conduct of this nature range from a public reprimand when the
attorney’s misconduct is relatively isolated, to suspensions of several
months when the conduct is egregious or accompanied by related 19
misrepresentations, additional violations, or other aggravating
circumstances. See, e.g., Kieffer-Garrison, 847 N.W.2d at 492, 494, 496
(finding an attorney’s failure to comply with appellate deadlines in nine
criminal cases resulting in receipt of twenty default notices warranted a
six-month suspension when the attorney also persistently
misrepresented that she had filed an application for further review to her
client and this court); Dolezal, 796 N.W.2d at 914, 920, 922–23 (finding
an attorney’s failure to cure default notices in two appeals resulting in
administrative dismissals warranted a thirty-day suspension when the
attorney neglected two additional matters, committed trust-account
violations, and had a history of failing to comply with court
requirements); Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Knopf, 793
N.W.2d 525, 531–32 (Iowa 2011) (finding an attorney’s failure to cure a
default notice in an appeal warranted a three-month suspension when
the attorney also failed to file state income tax returns for two years in
violation of ethical rules); Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v.
Hoglan, 781 N.W.2d 279, 282–83, 286–87 (Iowa 2010) (finding an
attorney’s failure to prosecute four appeals resulting in their dismissal
warranted a thirty-day suspension when each dismissal harmed the
client and the attorney had previously been publicly reprimanded for
similar misconduct); Wright, 758 N.W.2d at 231 (finding an attorney’s
failure to dismiss an appeal after the client was unable to raise funds for
a transcript warranted a public reprimand); Tompkins, 733 N.W.2d at
669–70 (finding an attorney’s failure to dismiss an appeal warranted a
public reprimand). Further, when such deficiencies result in harm to
clients, increased sanctions are warranted. See, e.g., Dolezal, 796
N.W.2d at 922 (considering harm to clients in crafting appropriate 20
sanction); Hoglan, 781 N.W.2d at 286 (same); Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y
Disciplinary Bd. v. Curtis, 749 N.W.2d 694, 704 (Iowa 2008) (same).
We draw guidance from the following attorney discipline cases
involving similar misconduct. In Dolezal, we suspended an attorney’s
license for thirty days. 796 N.W.2d at 923. There, the attorney failed to
cure default notices in two appeals leading to their dismissal. Id. at 914.
We concluded this conduct violated rules 32:1.3, 32:3.2, and 32:8.4(d).
Id. at 914–15. In addition to rule violations related to the attorney’s
failure to cure the default notices, we found the attorney neglected two
other client matters, in one instance harming the client, and violated
several of our rules governing an attorney’s management of the trust
account. Id. at 920. In crafting the appropriate sanction, we emphasized
that while the attorney’s behavior “inconvenienced the court system, in
two out of three instances it [did] not harm[] his clients.” Id. at 922. We
considered as aggravating factors that the Board had recently privately
admonished the attorney for failing to respond to delinquency notices in
another matter and that he had failed to comply with continuing legal
education requirements in the past. Id. at 920.
In Hoglan, we suspended an attorney’s license for thirty days when
he failed to prosecute four appeals resulting in their dismissal. 781
N.W.2d at 282–83, 287. We concluded this conduct violated rules
32:1.3, 32:1.16(a)(2) (requiring withdrawal from representation if a
physical or mental condition materially impairs a lawyer’s ability to
represent the client), 32:3.2, 32:8.4(a) (finding it misconduct to violate an
ethical rule), and 32:8.4(d). Id. at 284. In crafting the proper sanction,
we emphasized that the attorney neglected multiple client matters, each
dismissal harmed the client, and the attorney had recently been publicly
reprimanded for the dismissal of two other appeals due to neglect. Id. at 21
286–87. We considered the attorney’s severe back problems as a
mitigating factor. Id. at 287.
In Wright, we publicly reprimanded an attorney who failed to
comply with appellate deadlines in a single client matter and failed to
dismiss his client’s appeal, instead allowing it to be administratively
dismissed. 758 N.W.2d at 230–31. We found the attorney’s reliance on a
default notice to dismiss the appeal after his client could not raise funds
for the transcript was prejudicial to the administration of justice. Id. at
231. However, we concluded this same conduct did not amount to
neglect because the attorney was attempting to protect his client’s
interests by allowing her time to obtain funds for the transcript. Id. at
230. In crafting the proper sanction, we considered as aggravating
factors that the lawyer had over twenty-five years of experience in the
field, had been publicly reprimanded on one prior occasion, and that he
had been privately admonished on two prior occasions. Id. at 231.
Finally, in Tompkins, we publicly reprimanded an attorney who
neglected two client matters. 733 N.W.2d at 669–70. In the first matter,
the attorney neglected the client “by failing to communicate with [him]
and respond to his inquiries.” Id. at 669. In the second matter, the
attorney allowed the client’s “appeal to be administratively dismissed,
neglecting his client, and wasting judicial resources.” Id. In crafting the
proper sanction, we emphasized that little harm ultimately befell either
client because they were unlikely to succeed on their claims. Id. We
considered as an aggravating factor that the attorney had been publicly
reprimanded on two prior occasions. Id. at 670.
We believe this case is distinguishable from Dolezal and Hoglan. In
those cases there were multiple instances of neglect, additional rule
violations, and clients suffered harm. See Dolezal, 796 N.W.2d at 920 22
(finding multiple instances of neglect, trust account violations, and harm
to a client); Hoglan, 781 N.W.2d at 286 (finding multiple instances of
neglect and harm to clients). Here, Weiland’s misconduct stems from
one instance in which he failed to meet appellate deadlines resulting in
the administrative dismissal of an appeal. While we did find this conduct
violated two of our rules of professional conduct, the Board has not
alleged, and we have not concluded, that Weiland’s conduct resulted in
any harm to the client. Thus, Wright and Tompkins are closer parallels.
See Wright, 758 N.W.2d at 230 (involving a single client matter and
finding no harm to the client); Tompkins, 733 N.W.2d at 669 (finding no
harm to clients). Further, as in Wright, Weiland’s conduct did not
amount to neglect. See Wright, 758 N.W.2d at 230 (finding a failure to
dismiss an appeal did not amount to neglect). Accordingly, we find these
cases most instructive in crafting the proper sanction.
Finally, in crafting the proper punishment we consider aggravating
and mitigating factors. Conroy, 845 N.W.2d at 66. Here, several
aggravating and mitigating factors warrant our consideration. We begin
by addressing the aggravating factors. “[T]he prior disciplinary history of
an attorney is [one] factor we must consider . . . .” Parrish, 801 N.W.2d
at 589. “In so doing, we consider both prior admonitions and prior
public discipline.” Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Baldwin,
857 N.W.2d 195, 214 (Iowa 2014). “Prior misconduct is more suggestive
of increased sanctions when it involves the same type of conduct as the
conduct currently subject to discipline.” Id.
Weiland has been subject to discipline on four prior occasions.
First, in 2003, the Board privately admonished Weiland for failing to
respond to default notices in an appeal, ultimately resulting in its
dismissal. This prior misconduct is an aggravating factor because it is 23
similar to the misconduct in this case. See id. Also in 2003, we publicly
reprimanded Weiland for failing to provide competent representation to a
client in a probate matter. We do not consider this as an aggravating
factor because of the age of this prior discipline and because it is
dissimilar to the misconduct in this case. See Dolezal, 796 N.W.2d at
920 (declining to consider prior discipline as aggravating factor when
prior violations “occurred many years ago” and were not “similar to [the
attorney]’s more recent ethical lapses”). In 2008, we publicly
reprimanded Weiland for violating several of our ethical rules when he
overstated mileage expenses for reimbursements from the State Public
Defender for his representation of indigent defendants in court appointed
matters. This prior misconduct is an aggravating factor because it
occurred more recently. See id. Finally, in January 2014, we
temporarily suspended Weiland’s license to practice law when he failed to
respond to a Board inquiry in this matter. We reinstated his license
several days later, after he responded to the inquiry. We do not consider
this most recent temporary suspension as an aggravating factor because
we believe the temporary suspension we imposed was sufficient
discipline for failing to respond to the inquiry. See id. at 921 (concluding
“temporary suspension was adequate discipline for failing to respond to
the [B]oard’s inquiry”).
At the hearing, Wieland conceded that his notice-of-default track
record could be considered as part of our determination of an
appropriate sanction. We consider his track record to be an aggravating
factor. We have previously recognized that using the clerk’s office as a
private tickler system is unacceptable behavior for an attorney. See
Curtis, 749 N.W.2d at 699 (characterizing an attorney’s use of the clerk’s
office as a private tickler system as “deplorable”); Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y 24
Disciplinary Bd. v. Moonen, 706 N.W.2d 391, 400 (Iowa 2005)
(disapproving an attorney’s use of the clerk’s office as a private tickler
system). Here, the record established that between 1998 and 2014,
Weiland received forty notices of default for failing to meet various
deadlines in eighteen appeals. As confirmed by the deputy clerk, this is
an excessive number of default notices. However, we lessen our
consideration of this as an aggravating factor to an extent because the
record also established that Weiland received a large majority of these
notices of default much earlier in his career. In fact, Weiland received
thirty-three of the forty notices of default between 1998 and 2007, and
from 2008 to 2010 Weiland received no notices of default. However,
since 2011 Weiland’s use of the clerk’s office as a private tickler system
seems to have reemerged, as evidenced by his receipt of seven notices of
default in five separate matters between 2011 and 2014. We are
troubled by this recent trend. Consequently, we consider it as an
aggravating factor.
We turn now to the mitigating factors. First, the record does not
suggest that any clients suffered harm in this case. We consider this a
mitigating factor. See Ricklefs, 844 N.W.2d at 700 (considering lack of
harm to clients a mitigating factor). Second, Weiland ultimately took
responsibility for his actions before the commission, admitted that he
should have dismissed the appeal once he realized Pierce would be
unable able to obtain funds for the transcript, and expressed remorse for
his failure to do so. This is also a mitigating factor. Id. (considering
attorney’s taking responsibility for his actions as a mitigating factor).
Third, Weiland testified that in the future he will require clients to
advance the necessary costs for an appeal prior to proceeding. Further,
he testified that if a client is unable to advance these costs after appeal, 25
he will withdraw as counsel and dismiss the appeal rather than miss
deadlines and allow the appeal to be administratively dismissed. This is
another mitigating factor. See Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v.
Thomas, 794 N.W.2d 290, 295 (Iowa 2011) (considering an attorney’s
implementation of new office procedures to ensure compliance with
deadlines as a mitigating factor). Finally, we note that Weiland
maintains a law practice that allows persons of modest means to obtain
access to our court system at a modest rate. “Providing legal
representation to an underserved part of the community is a significant
mitigating factor.” Taylor, 814 N.W.2d at 268.
The commission recommended we publicly reprimand Weiland for
his misconduct. Having considered the particular circumstances in this
case, and after our de novo review of the record, we agree with the
V. Conclusion.
We publicly reprimand Weiland. Costs are taxed to Weiland
pursuant to Iowa Court Rule 35.27.
ATTORNEY REPRIMANDED.
All justices concur except Wiggins, J., who dissents. 26
#15–0156, Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Weiland
WIGGINS, Justice (dissenting).
Kenneth Weiland’s prior disciplinary record and his forty prior
delinquency notices from the clerk of the supreme court require a thirty-
day suspension.