Attorney Ethics

Working to maintain high ethical standards in the legal profession, the Iowa Supreme Court established a system of reviewing complaints against lawyers for unethical conduct. No tax dollars are involved and the system is funded wholly from fees paid annually to the Client Security Fund of Iowa by Iowa attorneys.

By its Rule 35.2, the Iowa Supreme Court established the Board of Professional Ethics and Conduct as a Supreme Court Commission:

“To initiate or receive, and process complaints against any attorney licensed to practice law in this state for alleged violations of the Iowa Code of Professional Responsibility for Lawyers and "laws of The United States or the State of Iowa.”

The Board Consists of nine members, seven of whom are lawyers appointed by the Bar Association and two lay members appointed by the Court. All are confirmed as Commissioners of the Supreme Court.

The following information will assist you if you have hired or worked with an Iowa attorney and are experiencing problems. Please consider all the information provided before filing a complaint with the Iowa Board of Professional Ethics. If you ultimately believe that an attorney may have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct, you should refer to the section providing information on how to file a complaint against a lawyer in Iowa.

If you have a problem regarding a non-lawyer providing legal services, you are encouraged to write to Mark Godwin, Supreme Court Unauthorized Practice of Law 515-283-4130 or contact him by fax 515-237-1748, or email at magodwin@ci.des-moines.ia.us

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