Board suspends Iowa City attorney's license indefinitely

The Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board indefinitely suspended an Iowa City attorney's license Friday because of several ethical violations.

Jeffrey Fields, a criminal defense attorney in private practice since 1997, will not be able to apply for reinstatement for 18 months.

The complaint was based on Fields' neglect in two cases and by failing to file his income tax returns for 2002 through 2004, according to the ruling.

Fields was convicted in 2008 of two counts of second-degree fraudulent practice for the failure to file taxes and he received a deferred judgment and three years probation.

The ethical violations stem from his neglect to respond to discovery requests and file other motions in a 2003 civil rights claim case and neglect in the handling of an estate matter in 2004 to 2007, according to the ruling.

Fields at his disciplinary hearing told the commission he was neglectful of his clients and failed to file his income tax returns, according to ruling. Fields said he was experience severe financial problems and had difficulty keeping his office open during this time period.

Fields said in 2009 he also had mental health issues, according to the ruling. He was diagnosed as manic/depressive biopolar disorder and attention deficit disorder. Fields admitted in his current condition he wasn't able to practice law.