Opinion ID: 2045116
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Attempted Disruption of the Disciplinary Process.

Text: At or about the time that the personal representative secured new counsel to conclude the George See estate, respondent sought to negotiate concerning any remaining obligations he had in the matter and any considerations owed to him. In connection with these negotiations, he wrote to the personal representative's new attorneys requesting: I would also request that Gary [the personal representative] execute a complete release regarding any claim he may have against me and also to withdraw any complaint with the Bar Association. The commission found this request to have been an attempt to disrupt the disciplinary process. In Committee on Professional Ethics & Conduct v. McCullough, 468 N.W.2d 458, 462 (Iowa 1991), we concluded that the duty imposed by DR 1-103(A) to report disciplinary violations also embraces a responsibility not to frustrate such reporting by others. Respondent's actions must be viewed as an attempt to do that. To his credit he did not pursue the matter further once the personal representative's new lawyers rejected his efforts to negotiate a withdrawal of the complaint. Nevertheless, we agree with the commission that a violation of DR 1-103(A) was established.