An attorney caught in an underage sex sting and a lawyer who fabricated a document to try to get out of trouble were among four attorneys in unrelated discipline cases who were suspended from practicing law in Colorado this month.
Richard Howieson, 31, was suspended for 18 months after he exchanged messages and a nude photo of himself with a Jefferson County sheriff’s detective who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. He was arrested when he arrived to meet the texter, and pleaded guilty to felony obscenity in January.
He was sentenced to four years of probation in the criminal case and must register as a sex offender. Howieson could be reinstated to practice law after his suspension if he can prove with “clear and convincing evidence that he has been rehabilitated,” according to a July 21 stipulation to discipline filed with the Office of Presiding Disciplinary Judge, which handles discipline for the state’s attorneys. He could not be reached for comment.
Also suspended from practicing law — in an unrelated case — was Elysia Hassebroek Titone, who is married to Colorado state Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. In early 2019, one of her clients couldn’t get in touch with her, according to a conditional admission of misconduct, and she was investigated by disciplinary authorities for potentially improperly abandoning her client’s representation.
Elysia Hassebroek Titone gave authorities a termination letter she claimed to have sent the client. However, she later admitted she fabricated that letter, according to the admission of misconduct. She was suspended for six months. She declined to comment Sunday.
Also to be suspended are attorney Paul Gordon, for failing to communicate adequately with his clients, and Molly Falk Jansen, for mishandling money and referencing confidential client information in a public response to the client’s negative review.
Both received six-month suspensions to start in August and September, although Gordon’s suspension will be stayed as long as he successfully completes probation. Gordon on Sunday said the case stems from a years-old incident and that he’s learned from it.
“It was a difficult time for me and I’ve been able to change quite a bit in terms of how I practice since then and I’m confident I’m back on track,” he said.
Jansen said her current clients with ongoing cases will be transitioned to new counsel before her suspension starts Sept. 1.
“I understand the decision and will abide by the terms,” she said in an email. “I am looking forward to returning to my law firm and continuing to practice.”
Updated 10:30 a.m. Aug. 2, 2021 This story was updated to emphasize that the four judicial discipline cases described here are unrelated.
