To: Thomas Becker
From: Rachel Debner
Date: 9/06/2024
Re: Case Name: Sup. Ct. Atty. Disciplinary Bd. v. Khowassah, 890 N.W.2d 647
(Iowa 2017).
Memorandum
Case Name and Citation: Sup. Ct. Atty. Disciplinary Bd. v. Khowassah, 890
N.W.2d 647 (Iowa 2017).
Facts:
Tarek A. Khowassah is an Iowa attorney and was authorized to practice law
in Iowa in 2005, working in private practice and for the state public defender.
Khowassah had one private admonition. His license was suspended and
remains inactive. Khowassah is enrolled in an LLM tax program in Colorado
and intends to resume the practice of law in the future. In June of 2014
Khowassah pleaded guilty to public intoxication and operating a motor
vehicle while intoxicated (OWI), second offense. The facts were agreed upon
through a stipulation and examined during a disciplinary hearing conducted
by the grievance commission. These facts pertained to two distinct incidents.
Khowassah was intoxicated in downtown Iowa City and intervened with
police officers who were dealing with another person. He was arrested and
charged with interference with official acts, and he pleaded guilty to public
intoxication, a simple misdemeanor. A week later, Khowassah was found by
Iowa City police asleep in the driver's seat of his vehicle, which was parked in
a parking ramp with the engine running, and he was again intoxicated. He
was arrested and charged with OWI, third offense, and ultimately pleaded
guilty to OWI, second offense, an aggravated misdemeanor.
Procedural History:
Khowassah violated Iowa Rule of Professional Conduct 32:8.4(b) by
committing a criminal act that harmed his professional integrity. He admitted
the violation. The commission recommended a one-year suspension of his
law license and required proof of sobriety and fitness to practice before
reinstatement.
Issue: Did Tarek A. Khowassah's recurring criminal violations, including public
intoxication and OWI offenses, constitute a violation of Iowa Rule of
Professional Conduct 32:8.4(b), reflecting unfavorably on his honesty,
From: Rachel Debner
Date: 9/06/2024
Re: Case Name: Sup. Ct. Atty. Disciplinary Bd. v. Khowassah, 890 N.W.2d 647
(Iowa 2017).
Memorandum
Case Name and Citation: Sup. Ct. Atty. Disciplinary Bd. v. Khowassah, 890
N.W.2d 647 (Iowa 2017).
Facts:
Tarek A. Khowassah is an Iowa attorney and was authorized to practice law
in Iowa in 2005, working in private practice and for the state public defender.
Khowassah had one private admonition. His license was suspended and
remains inactive. Khowassah is enrolled in an LLM tax program in Colorado
and intends to resume the practice of law in the future. In June of 2014
Khowassah pleaded guilty to public intoxication and operating a motor
vehicle while intoxicated (OWI), second offense. The facts were agreed upon
through a stipulation and examined during a disciplinary hearing conducted
by the grievance commission. These facts pertained to two distinct incidents.
Khowassah was intoxicated in downtown Iowa City and intervened with
police officers who were dealing with another person. He was arrested and
charged with interference with official acts, and he pleaded guilty to public
intoxication, a simple misdemeanor. A week later, Khowassah was found by
Iowa City police asleep in the driver's seat of his vehicle, which was parked in
a parking ramp with the engine running, and he was again intoxicated. He
was arrested and charged with OWI, third offense, and ultimately pleaded
guilty to OWI, second offense, an aggravated misdemeanor.
Procedural History:
Khowassah violated Iowa Rule of Professional Conduct 32:8.4(b) by
committing a criminal act that harmed his professional integrity. He admitted
the violation. The commission recommended a one-year suspension of his
law license and required proof of sobriety and fitness to practice before
reinstatement.
Issue: Did Tarek A. Khowassah's recurring criminal violations, including public
intoxication and OWI offenses, constitute a violation of Iowa Rule of
Professional Conduct 32:8.4(b), reflecting unfavorably on his honesty,
