On Thursday, June 19, 2025, the Supreme Court of Iowa revoked the law license of attorney Jay Warner Mez. The revocation followed Mez’s consent to disbarment, submitted through an affidavit to the Iowa Supreme Court Grievance Commission.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Jay Warner Mez,” with case no. 25–0922.
Mez had his license suspended due to a disability on March 1, 2024. The suspension preceded an investigation by the Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board into allegations of professional misconduct. In his affidavit, Mez acknowledged the investigation and admitted to mishandling client funds, stating he could not successfully defend against the allegations.
Following his suspension, a trustee, Marti D. Nerenstone, was appointed on March 4, 2024, by the District Court for Pottawattamie County to manage Mez’s client trust and operating accounts. The trustee discovered $9,779.43 in Mez’s client trust account, $26,069.13 in his operating account, and additional funds in his office, totaling $42,363.27. Mez admitted that after May 2023, he deposited all client advanced fees directly into his operating account, using these funds for personal expenses. These funds included payments for special purposes, such as filing fees or expert testimony, and attorney fees for which he performed little to no work, particularly after his suspension.
The trustee attempted to contact Mez’s clients to inform them of his suspension and their right to seek refunds. A review of client files and dockets revealed minimal work completed, and credible client claims exceeded available funds, preventing full refunds. For example, in February 2024, clients Presley Shumate and Brandon Donnelly paid Mez $1,750 as an initial installment for a parenting plan modification case. Mez deposited the funds into his operating account without performing any work or incurring expenses. Due to insufficient funds, Shumate and Donnelly received only a partial refund of $1,313.40.
Under the court’s order, Mez may apply for readmission to the Iowa bar after five years, per Iowa Court Rule 34.25(7), and must comply with client notification requirements outlined in Iowa Court Rule 34.24. The costs of the disciplinary action were taxed to Mez, as stipulated by Iowa Court Rule 36.24(1).
The court also directed that the revocation order, Mez’s affidavit, and the Attorney Disciplinary Board’s response be published on the Iowa Judicial Branch website’s “Recent Attorney Disability and Disciplinary Orders” page.
The Disposition states:
“Upon full consideration and pursuant to Iowa Court Rule 34.16(3), the court orders that Jay Warner Mez’s license to practice law in this State is revoked. Mez may be eligible for readmission after five years under Iowa Court Rule 34.25(7)”
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Mez was a criminal defense attorney in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He attended the Creighton University School of Law. He acquired his law license in Iowa in 2004.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
