Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board v. Patricia Jean Lipski

Summary

The court found that Lipski violated professional-conduct rules by failing to timely file an appeal in a termination-of-parental-rights case, failing to keep her client informed, failing to expedite the matter, and misleading the client about why the appeal was dismissed. The court rejected the alleged violation concerning conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice because Lipski did not abandon the appeal and the court's involvement was limited. Given the client's lost appeal, multiple rule violations, and Lipski's repeated prior discipline for similar deadline failures, the court suspended her license for thirty days.