Committee on Professional Ethics & Conduct of the Iowa State Bar Ass'n v. Sturgeon

As one court succinctly put it, “Occasionally a ease arises with facts so egregious that although tragic, they cry out for disbarment.” In re X, 120 N.J. 459, 460, 577 A.2d 139, 140 (1990). This is one of those cases. We reject the Grievance Commission’s recommendation for suspension in this lawyer disciplinary proceeding and revoke the respondent’s license to practice law.

I. Factual Background.

The respondent, LeRoy J. Sturgeon, obtained his license to practice law in Iowa in 1977. For the next twelve years he was an associate in a general practice law firm in Sioux City. At the time of the…