Summary
The Iowa Supreme Court reviewed disciplinary charges against attorney Tarek A. Khowassah arising from public intoxication and operating while intoxicated convictions. The court found that the conduct violated Iowa Rule of Professional Conduct 32:8.4(b), considering it part of a pattern of alcohol-related criminal conduct that adversely reflected on his fitness to practice law. The court indefinitely suspended Khowassah’s license, barring reinstatement for six months and requiring medical documentation of sobriety and fitness to practice.
Holdings
- Khowassah's public intoxication and OWI, second offense, were part of a pattern of criminal conduct related to alcohol abuse and reflected adversely on his fitness to practice law, violating Iowa Rule of Professional Conduct 32:8.4(b).
- The appropriate sanction was an indefinite suspension from the practice of law, with no possibility of reinstatement for six months, subject to proof of compliance with suspension requirements and medical documentation of sobriety and fitness to practice.
Questions Presented
- Whether Khowassah's public intoxication and OWI, second offense, constituted a violation of Iowa Rule of Professional Conduct 32:8.4(b).
- Whether the appropriate sanction was a one-year suspension, a thirty-day suspension, or an indefinite suspension with conditions for reinstatement.
Disposition
other
Cases Cited (13)
- Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Pederson, 887 N.W.2d 387, 391 (Iowa 2016)(followed)
- Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Bartley, 860 N.W.2d 331, 335, 337 (Iowa 2015)(followed)
- Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Khowassah, 837 N.W.2d 649, 652, 658 (Iowa 2013)(followed)
- Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Said, 869 N.W.2d 185, 190, 193 (Iowa 2015)(followed)
- Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Wheeler, 824 N.W.2d 505, 509–510 (Iowa 2012)(followed)
- Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Keele, 795 N.W.2d 507, 512 (Iowa 2011)(followed)
- Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Templeton, 784 N.W.2d 761, 767–769 (Iowa 2010)(followed)
- In re Conduct of White, 815 P.2d 1257, 1265 (Or. 1991) (en banc)(followed)
- Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Cannon, 821 N.W.2d 873, 876, 879, 882–883 (Iowa 2012)(followed)
- Iowa Supreme Ct. Att’y Disciplinary Bd. v. Weaver, 812 N.W.2d 4, 11–12, 15–16 (Iowa 2012)(followed)
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