Local Attorney’s Law License Suspended

Orange City, Iowa — The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled that an Orange City attorney’s license to practice law be suspended for 30-days.

According to the decision published by the Iowa Supreme Court, Michael Jacobsma of Orange City  had self-reported to the Iowa Supreme Court Grievance Commission that he had violated the rules of professional conduct by engaging in an intimate relationship with a client.

According to the court’s ruling, Jacobsma represented the client, who the ruling identifies only as Jane Doe, in five separate instances in connection with her divorce. They say Jacobsma’s intimate relationship with Doe began after he had first acted as her attorney. The rules of conduct state that an intimate relationship with a client is allowed only if the client is the spouse of the attorney, or if the relationship begins prior to the time the client retains the attorney.

The majority opinion rendered by the Iowa Supreme Court suspends Jacobsma’s law license for 30-days, with the suspension applying to “all facets of ordinary law practice.” The ruling says that Jacobsma’s law license will be automatically reinstated at the end of the 30-day suspension, provided he has complied with all the provisions of the ruling.

 

Share:

More

Severe Weather Week: Flooding

Northwest Iowa — This is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Iowa. The National Weather Service has focused on four different topics

Local News