Cedar Rapids attorney loses license

The Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board suspended the license of a Cedar Rapids attorney today indefinitely with no possibility of reinstatement for six months.

The board ruled Ross Hauser, a lawyer for 23 years, committed multiple violations of ethical rules based on how he handled a dissolution case in 2005. The board considered his previous history which included a series of private admonitions, public reprimands and suspensions.

Hauser's license has been suspended five times between October 2005 and June 2009 for failing to comply with the rules of the Commission on Continuing Legal Education and the Client Security Commission, and failing to respond to the board's inquiries, according to the ruling.

The current suspension involves how Hauser handled a dissolution case for Ricky Clemens in 2005. After he attended a mediation session with Clemens and his spouse in 2006, he didn't file any further pleadings or motions. Hauser and Clemens failed to appear at the trial on the petition and the court entered a default decree. Clemens hadn't been notified of the trial until he received a copy of the decree in the mail.

Clemens couldn't reach Hauser and eventually hired another attorney, who asked the court to set the judgment aside, according to ruling. The court denied the motion and Clemens filed the complaint against Hauser.

Hauser wouldn't respond to the board's letters regarding Clemens nor to the board's complaint filed in May 2009.

At a September 2009 hearing before a division of the commission, Hauser testified on his own behalf and acknowledged his neglect, according to ruling. He said he had a history of alcohol abuse which likely was a factor in this action and previous disciplinary actions.

The board ruled that prior to any application for reinstatement, Hauser must provide the board with an evaluation by a licensed health care professional verifying his fitness to practice law. He must also submit documentation that he had refunded any unearned fees.