On Thursday, September 25, 2025, the Supreme Court of Iowa publicly reprimanded attorney Randy S. Hisey. The reprimand was initiated by the Attorney Disciplinary Board.
The case is entitled “Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Discipline Board v. Randy S. Hisey,” with case no. 25-1418.
The Board’s investigation revealed that Hisey engaged in a business transaction with a client, Bobbi Merchant, creating a conflict of interest. In July 2016, Hisey prepared a promissory note for Merchant to purchase a GMC Envoy, stipulating payments of $400 per month.
After Merchant signed the note, Hisey added a clause indicating the balance would be settled from the proceeds of a car accident case where he was representing her. The Board determined that Hisey did not inform Merchant about this alteration, nor did he advise her to seek independent legal counsel regarding the promissory note. Documentation requested by the Board to prove that written informed consent was provided to Bobbi regarding the promissory note was not supplied.
The Board concluded that Hisey’s actions constituted a conflict of interest, violating Iowa Rule of Professional Conduct 32:1.8, which governs business transactions with clients. Furthermore, the alteration of the promissory note without the Merchant’s consent or notification was deemed deceitful and fraudulent, violating Iowa Rule of Professional Conduct 32:8.4(c).
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Hisey is a personal injury attorney in Sioux City, Iowa. He acquired his law license in Iowa in 1979.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
