Opinion ID: 1875759
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Findings and Ethical Violations

Text: Sotak admitted all of the factual claims and ethical violations made against him by the Board. We find convincing evidence to prove the following:
Sotak undertook representation of Dale Ross and Frank Haggard by filing a lawsuit on their behalf against the State of Iowa and Iowa State University. This lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice for want of prosecution in January of 2001 pursuant to Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 215.1. Sotak failed to appeal the dismissal and did not tell either client their lawsuit had been dismissed. Sotak then took the case file with him to the Zarley firm without notifying or obtaining consent from either client. The Zarley firm precluded Sotak from further representation of Ross and Haggard, but Sotak did not tell his clients they needed to hire different counsel.
Jon Wheeler retained Sotak to represent him with regard to workers' compensation and product liability claims arising from the death of his wife. Sotak did not file the report of first injury within the time required by Iowa Code section 85.23 (1999). When Wheeler inquired about the status of the case, Sotak falsely stated he had filed the original notice and petition with the worker's compensation commissioner and had talked with a judge about the case. Also, even though his employment with the Zarley law firm precluded further representation of Wheeler, Sotak did not tell Wheeler he needed to hire a different attorney.
In February of 2000, Sotak agreed to represent American Built, Inc. in the enforcement and foreclosure of two mechanics' liens. In June of 2000, the property owner's attorney made a written demand that American Built bring suit on its mechanics' liens within thirty days pursuant to Iowa Code section 572.28. Sotak accepted service of these demands and, without American Built's knowledge or consent, gave the property owner a mechanics' lien waiver for part of the disputed labor and materials. Sotak eventually filed American Built's actions to foreclose the mechanics' liens on December 18, 2000, but failed to serve the original notice on the property owner within ninety days as required by Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 1.302(5). Sotak filed a dismissal prior to the hearing scheduled to address whether the lawsuit should be dismissed for failure to timely effect service of process. Sotak never told American Built the action had been dismissed; instead he indicated the lawsuit was progressing satisfactorily and settlement negotiations were underway. When Sotak switched to the Zarley law firm he never told American Built it needed to hire a different attorney.
Sotak agreed to represent Tyan Ellsworth in a personal injury case. Sotak filed the lawsuit, but failed to properly serve the original notice within ninety days as required by Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 1.302(5). The court dismissed the case for failure to properly effect service of process. Sotak did not tell Ellsworth the case had been dismissed and also failed to appeal the dismissal.
United Fire and Casualty Company retained Newbrough law firm to pursue a subrogation claim. Sotak began representing United Fire in this matter, and filed a lawsuit on its behalf. Months later, without the knowledge or consent of United Fire and Casualty, Sotak dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice. Sotak failed to keep in contact with United Fire and Casualty and did not advise it of his actions on its behalf.
Jacqueline Stroo retained Sotak to represent her for a claim pertaining to a car accident. Sotak filed a lawsuit on behalf of Stroo, and then, without the knowledge or consent of Stroo, settled the lawsuit and dismissed the case with prejudice. Sotak received two checks from the opposing party's insurance company and placed them in Stroo's case file, but he never informed Stroo of their existence. Stroo only discovered the settlement checks when she retrieved her case file.