Opinion ID: 1811622
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: standard of review

Text: Our review of attorney disciplinary proceedings is well established. We review the commission's findings de novo. See Iowa Ct. R. 35.10(1) (2005); Iowa Supreme Ct. Attorney Disciplinary Bd. v. Lesyshen, 712 N.W.2d 101, 104 (Iowa 2006). We give respectful consideration to the Grievance Commission's findings and recommendations, but are not bound by them. The Board must prove attorney misconduct by a convincing preponderance of the evidence. This burden is less than proof beyond a reasonable doubt, but more than the preponderance standard required in the usual civil case. Once misconduct is proven, we may impose a lesser or greater sanction than the discipline recommended by the grievance commission. Iowa Supreme Ct. Attorney Disciplinary Bd. v. Conrad, 723 N.W.2d 791, 791-92 (Iowa 2006) (quoting Iowa Supreme Ct. Bd. of Prof'l Ethics & Conduct v. Lett, 674 N.W.2d 139, 142 (Iowa 2004)).