Opinion ID: 2231182
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Board's Complaint.

Text: The Board charged Johnston with multiple violations of the Iowa Code of Professional Responsibility for Lawyers. These violations included DR 1-102(A)(1) (lawyer shall not violate a disciplinary rule), DR 1-102(A)(6) (lawyer shall not engage in other conduct that adversely reflects on the fitness to practice law), DR 2-101(B)(4)(a) (lawyer shall not engage in the in-person or telephone solicitation of legal business), DR 2-103(A) (lawyer shall not recommend his or her own employment), DR 2-104(A) (lawyer shall not accept employment resulting from unsolicited advice), DR 5-101(A) (lawyer shall not accept employment under certain circumstances unless client consents and there is full disclosure), DR 5-103(A) (lawyer shall not acquire a propriety interest in client matters), DR 5-103(B) (lawyer shall not advance or guarantee financial assistance to clients), DR 5-104(A) (lawyer shall not enter into a business transaction with a client when there are differing interests), DR 5-105(B) (lawyer shall decline proffered employment in some circumstances), DR 5-105(C) (lawyer shall not continue multiple employment in some circumstances), DR 5-105(D) (lawyer may represent multiple clients in some circumstances), DR 7-101(A)(3) (lawyer shall not intentionally prejudice or damage a client), and DR 7-102(A)(8) (lawyer shall not knowingly engage in other illegal conduct or conduct contrary to a disciplinary rule). Johnston admitted he violated DR 2-101(B)(4)(a), DR 2-103(A), DR 2-104(A), and as a result also admitted he may have violated DR 1-102(A)(1). The Commission found Johnston violated all of these rules except DR 2-104(A), DR 5-103(B) and DR 7-101(A)(3). It made several key findings to support the violations. The Commission found Johnston not only represented Corcoran in the action to challenge the interest rate, but also sought out Corcoran and ultimately represented him in the redemption of the property. It also found the representation continued after the interest rate matter was settled, and that Johnston not only inserted his own interests into the transaction, but represented the differing interests of Nelson Electric and Corcoran at the same time. Finally, the Commission found Johnston failed to fully compensate Corcoran for the purchase of his redemption rights in the properties. The Commission recommended Johnston be suspended from the practice of law with no possibility of reinstatement for six months. It also recommended Johnston pay Corcoran $230 to satisfy the purchase of assigning the redemption rights. On our review, Johnston challenges the Commission's conclusions that he violated certain disciplinary rules. He also attacks certain factual findings made by the Commission. Ultimately he requests we impose a sanction that does not include the suspension of his law license.