Iowa State Bar Association v. Bitter
Iowa Supreme Court
279 N.W.2d 521 (1979)
- Written by Gonzalo Rodriguez, JD
Facts
Joseph J. Bitter (defendant), an attorney, was charged by the Iowa State Bar Association’s Grievance Commission (commission) (plaintiff) with ethical violations arising from advancing money to three clients. Bitter, while acknowledging that he advanced money to three clients during litigation, stated that he was unaware that advancing funds to clients was improper and that he made these loans for altruistic reasons because his clients were in serious financial need. Bitter did not charge his clients any interest on the loans, and the commission found no indication that the loans were made to secure the clients’ business. The commission recommended that Bitter be suspended from practice for four months, and Bitter asked that he be granted probation.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Larson, J.)
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