Originally Syndicated on May 1, 2024 @ 12:14 pm
Mandee Pingel is an attorney who is recently getting a lot of media attention. Initially, I thought it was your usual marketing campaign.
However, when I looked into her claims, I got a bit suspicious. That’s because the press releases and promotional articles were a bit too many.
So, I looked into her past and discovered that she was recently suspended after facing a complaint regarding her fees and professional conduct.
What was the case about? How did it all happen? Find out in this article.
Who is Mandee Pingel?
Mandee Pingel is a respected attorney known for her expertise in family law. Based in Iowa, she focuses on helping clients navigate complex legal challenges during emotionally difficult times. Her practice areas encompass divorce, child custody, and support, ensuring that she provides comprehensive legal support tailored to each client’s unique circumstances.
Mandee’s approach is distinguished by her commitment to understanding and addressing the specific needs and concerns of families in transition. By combining compassionate counsel with robust legal advocacy, she strives to achieve outcomes that prioritize the well-being of her clients and their children, making her a trusted advisor in her field.
When Mandee Pingel Violated Professional Conduct Rules and Tried to Get Away With It
Mandee Pingel, an attorney based in Kansas City, Missouri, has faced several controversies related to her professional conduct. These controversies primarily revolve around violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct and issues concerning fees.
- Violations of Professional Conduct Rules: The Missouri Courts found that Mandee Rowen Pingel violated multiple Rules of Professional Conduct, including rules concerning fees, fairness to opposing party and counsel, and responsibilities regarding nonlawyer assistants. These violations led to disciplinary actions against her.
- Disciplinary Proceedings and Probation: In a notable attorney discipline proceeding, Mandee R. Pingel faced allegations that resulted in her being placed on probation. The Supreme Court of Missouri ordered this probation due to issues with fees among other allegations. This probation period was a direct consequence of her professional conduct violations.
- Admission and Apology for Rule Violations: In a further development, Mandee Pingel, alongside another attorney from her firm, admitted to and apologized for violating certain rules. This admission and the subsequent apology were part of their response to the controversies surrounding their professional conduct.
- Termination of Probation: Despite the controversies and the disciplinary actions taken against her, Mandee Pingel’s probation was eventually terminated. This termination, ordered by the Missouri Courts, came after a motion for the successful completion of her probation period was filed and considered.
- Professional Background and Rehabilitation: Despite these controversies, it’s important to note that Mandee Pingel has continued her legal practice. She is the owner and managing attorney of Pingel Family Law, LLC, serving the Kansas City area. Her rehabilitation and continued service in the legal profession were acknowledged when the Supreme Court of Kansas discharged her from probation following her suspension in November 2021.
These controversies surrounding Mandee Pingel highlight the importance of adherence to professional conduct rules in the legal profession and the potential consequences of violations. However, they also illustrate the possibility of rehabilitation and continuation of professional practice following such incidents.
What was the outcome of the Disciplinary Proceeding Against Mandee Pingel
The disciplinary proceeding against Mandee Pingel resulted in her being disciplined by a one-year suspension from the practice of law, which was stayed pending her successful completion of an agreed 12-month probation plan.
This decision was made by the Supreme Court of Kansas on November 19, 2021. Following her compliance with the conditions of the probation plan, the Supreme Court of Kansas ordered her full discharge from probation on December 19, 2022, thereby closing the disciplinary proceeding.
What was the Reason for the Suspension of Mandee Pingel’s law license?
Mandee Pingel’s law license was suspended due to her violations of the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct (KRPC). The specific reasons for the suspension are not detailed in the provided search results. However, it is mentioned that the parties jointly recommended that her license to practice law be suspended for one year and that her suspension be stayed pending a 12-month probation period. This indicates that there were professional conduct issues serious enough to warrant a suspension, but the exact nature of these violations would require further details from the disciplinary proceedings or the official court documents.
What was the Basis of Mandee Pingel’s Law License Suspension?
The recommendation to suspend Mandee Pingel’s law license was based on violations of the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct (KRPC) and the Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC). Specifically, the violations included:
- KRPC 3.1: Making a statement or assertion in a legal proceeding that is not warranted by existing law or by a nonfrivolous argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law or the establishment of new law.
- KRPC 4.4(a) and MRPC 4-4.4(a): Using means in representing a client that have no substantial purpose other than to embarrass, delay, or burden a third person, or using methods of obtaining evidence that violate the legal rights of such a person.
- KRPC 8.4(d): Engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.
- KRPC 8.4(g): Engaging in conduct that adversely reflects on the lawyer’s fitness to practice law.
- Rule 221(b): Related to the disciplinary process and procedures.
- MRPC 4-1.5(a): Charging or collecting an unreasonable fee or an unreasonable amount for expenses.
- MRPC 4-3.4(c), (d), and (e): Fairness to opposing party and counsel, including not knowingly disobeying an obligation under the rules of a tribunal, not making a frivolous discovery request or failing to make a reasonably diligent effort to comply with a legally proper discovery request.
These violations were established by clear and convincing evidence through a summary submission and the parties’ stipulations before the Kansas Supreme Court. The Missouri Supreme Court had previously determined that Pingel violated these rules and ordered her license suspended indefinitely, with the suspension stayed while she was on probation for 18 months from the date of its order.
The Reputation Laundering Allegations Against Mandee Pingel
Although there is a lot of online media about the suspension of Mandee Pingel, you wouldn’t find it easily today.
That’s because the marketing team of Ms. Pingel has focused on hiding a lot of such content from the consumers. They are doing so through a process called reputation laundering.
Reputation laundering is the practice of covering up or erasing misdeeds, negative business practices, or illegal actions of a company or individual.
The key aspects of reputation laundering are:
- It is a niche industry that has grown up around the need for companies and individuals to change public perception of their actions. This includes PR firms, lawyers, lobbyists, and other “fixers” that help clients portray themselves in a more positive light.
- Tactics used include making donations to universities, charities, and other institutions, aligning with sports teams, and using disinformation and “astroturfing” (creating fake grassroots movements) to obscure the truth.
- Reputation laundering is different from legitimate reputation repair, which involves fixing real problems within a company and developing a positive image based on their actions. Laundering seeks to cover up illegal activities and bad practices.
- Reputation laundering allows kleptocrats, oligarchs, and politically exposed persons to distance themselves from the illicit source of their wealth and transform their public image, making it difficult for compliance and law enforcement to detect any wrongdoing.
- This practice undermines democratic institutions and norms by manipulating public perception and enabling the flow of tainted money into Western economies. Governments have been slow to address the “enablers” that facilitate reputation laundering.
This activity is quite common among online scammers and criminals. (Here is one example)
However, one might wonder why Ms. Pingel had to resort to such unethical means. The answer is obvious. She doesn’t want her prospective clients to learn about her disciplinary proceedings and how she lost her license temporarily.
After all, it doesn’t inspire confidence to know that your attorney faced regulatory action recently.
Conclusion
Mandee Pingel had to lose her ability to practice law for a brief period due to her own actions. Now, she is trying to hide her professional past by using unethical marketing tactics.
This would make it difficult for her prospective clients to make a well-informed decision as they won’t be able to find out the true history of their attorney.
Certainly, it’s not right.
What do you think? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
This article sheds light on a complex situation, showing that even professionals can face serious consequences for violations. It’s a reminder of the importance of adhering to ethical standards.
Interesting read. It’s often easy to forget that disciplinary proceedings can lead to rehabilitation and a return to practice. This case exemplifies the process and its outcomes.
The details provided about the violations and subsequent rehabilitation are useful for understanding the whole picture. It’s important to have such information available to maintain transparency.
The topic of reputation laundering is particularly intriguing. I wasn’t aware of the extent to which this could be done and the industries that have grown around it.
The article presents a balanced perspective on Mandee Pingel’s professional journey. While it covers the controversies, it also acknowledges her continued legal practice and discharge from probation.
The article provides a detailed account of Mandee Pingel’s professional challenges and the legal proceedings she faced. It is a stark reminder of the importance of ethical practice in law.
It’s interesting to see how disciplinary actions in the legal field are executed and the role of probation in such cases. I wasn’t aware that attorneys could continue practicing under certain conditions after facing suspension.
The distinction between reputation laundering and legitimate reputation repair is a critical one. It’s vital that the public is made aware of the difference to make informed decisions about whom they trust.
This case emphasizes the multifaceted nature of legal ethics and how the consequences of violating professional conduct rules can extend beyond the courtroom to affect public perception.
I would be interested to know more about the specifics of the violations and how the court decided on the terms of probation and suspension. It’s important for such information to be available for transparency’s sake.