On Thursday, May 22, 2025, the Supreme Court of Iowa publicly reprimanded attorney Allan Max Richards following a recommendation from the Attorney Disciplinary Board. The public reprimand was recorded as a public document after Richards declined to contest the board’s findings within the allotted time.
The case is entitled “Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board v. Allan Max Richards,” with case no. 25–0616.
The disciplinary action stemmed from Richards’ representation of client Zachary P. Koehn in a post-conviction relief case. According to the board’s findings, Richards neglected the case for over 15 months, filing only four documents: an appearance, two motions to continue, and an application to exceed fees. Despite multiple court orders to file a recast petition, Richards failed to comply, ignored motions from the State, and did not participate in a required trial scheduling conference.
The case was initially dismissed under Iowa Rule 1.944 due to inaction, and though the dismissal was set aside, it was later dismissed again following an unopposed motion by the State. At the dismissal hearing, Richards acknowledged his errors, citing a busy trial schedule in fall 2022 and admitting the matter was “overlooked” after refocusing his practice in January 2023.
The board also found that Richards failed to adequately communicate with Koehn, who was incarcerated at the Iowa State Penitentiary during the representation. Koehn sent a pro se letter to the district court clerk on August 8, 2023, expressing frustration over a lack of personal contact, including no letters, phone calls, or other communication from Richards. The only recorded interaction was a two-minute call with Richards’ law office on September 9, 2022. Richards never visited Koehn in prison or engaged in electronic communication, and no additional documentation of contact was provided.
The board determined that Richards’ conduct violated Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct, including rules on diligence, communication, expediting litigation, and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. In mitigation, Richards noted he had largely stepped back from his practice to attend graduate school full time, retaining only a few pending cases.
The Disposition states:
“The court orders that the reprimand of Allan Max Richards be included in the records of this court as a public document.”
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Richards is an attorney in Tama, Iowa. He acquired his law license in Iowa in 1990.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
