Opinion ID: 1755962
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Acceptance of attorney fees without performing required services or obtaining court authorization.

Text: Respondent concedes he violated the law when he accepted two attorney fee payments of $2500, each without prior court authorization. See Iowa Code § 633.198; Committee on Professional Ethics & Conduct v. Coddington, 360 N.W.2d 823, 825 (Iowa 1985). In addition, he had not performed the work required to be done before such payments could be authorized, in violation of Iowa Rule of Probate Procedure 2(d). In accepting the grievance commission's recommendation of suspension, we have considered the lack of any effort by respondent to account to his clients for the fee he obtained for work he did not do, or to inquire concerning any other estate liabilities or losses due to his neglect. This is a matter we shall review again in the event of an application by respondent for reinstatement of his license. We hold respondent's license to practice law should be suspended indefinitely with no possibility of reinstatement for six months. This suspension shall apply to all facets of the law practice. See Iowa Sup.Ct.R. 118.12. Upon application for reinstatement, respondent shall have the burden to prove that he has not practiced law during the period of suspension and that he meets the requirements of Iowa Supreme Court Rule 118.13. LICENSE SUSPENDED.