On Thursday, May 22, 2025, the Supreme Court of Iowa reprimanded attorney Bethany J. Brands following a complaint filed by the Attorney Disciplinary Board. The public reprimand was ordered according to Iowa Court Rule 35.12, with Brands consenting to the Board’s recommendation without exception.
The case is entitled “Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board v. Bethany J. Brands,” with case no. 25–0778.
The disciplinary action stems from Brands’ representation of a client, identified as S.W., in modification proceedings in Dickinson County, Case Nos. JVJV003533 and JVJV003534. On August 2, 2023, the court issued a ruling in both matters, prompting S.W. to immediately request an appeal. Brands directed her assistant to delay filing the notice of appeal until August 17, intending to align the subsequent petition deadline with her personal and professional schedule. The notice of appeal was filed on August 17 in Iowa Supreme Court Case No. 23-1311, setting a deadline of September 1 for the petition on appeal, as required by Iowa Rule of Appellate Procedure 6.201(1)(b).
Brands failed to submit the petition by the September 1 deadline and took no further action in the case. On September 2, she realized the oversight. The State of Iowa filed a motion to dismiss on September 12, noting the petition was 11 days overdue. Brands did not respond to the motion, and on October 4, 2023, the Iowa Supreme Court dismissed the appeal due to the missed deadline. On October 12, 2023, S.W. inquired about a transcript, at which point Brands informed her client that the appeal had been dismissed because of the failure to file the petition on time.
The Board also noted that Brands received the complaint via certified mail on March 1, 2024, with a requirement to respond within 20 days under Iowa Court Rule 35.6(4). She did not respond until July 10, 2024. In her response, Brands claimed she consulted colleagues who believed the appeal’s dismissal was inevitable. However, the Board’s investigation revealed she spoke with one colleague, who instead advised attempting a delayed appeal and promptly notifying the client of the missed deadline. Brands accepted full responsibility for the error and expressed remorse, outlining steps to improve practice.
The Board considered mitigating factors, including Brands’ history of volunteer service, representation of underserved and marginalized clients, and participation in pro bono and reduced-fee cases. Her commitment to public service and professionalism was recognized by others in the legal community.
The Board determined that Brands violated Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct 32:1.3 and 32:3.2, which address diligence and expediting litigation.
The public reprimand was issued on April 8, 2025, and signed electronically by Justice Thomas D. Waterman. Brands was notified she had 30 days from the date of completed service to file an exception with the Grievance Commission clerk, per Iowa Court Rule 35.12. Failure to do so would waive further proceedings and make the reprimand final and public.
According to Avvo.com, Ms. Brands is an attorney in Okoboji, Iowa. She acquired her law license in Iowa in 1994.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
