Thomas Laehn, assistant to the county attorney, will have a change of title sooner than anticipated.
Laehn reported to the county supervisors Monday that under a new rule of the Iowa judicial branch’s Office of Professional Regulation, he can practice law as soon as he completes the Iowa Bar examination. He will take the Bar exam next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and on Thursday he can assume the full duties of assistant county attorney. He will be able to prosecute any criminal case.
It was expected that Laehn would not have full attorney privileges and duties until he is notified of passing the Bar exam. That is the normal process for attorneys in Iowa.
The new ruling is specific to those who are working under the supervision of a county attorney. Laehn explained that there is a shortage of attorneys in some rural counties, and the Office of Professional Regulation hopes to ease that.
Greene County sheriff Jack Williams was particularly pleased to hear Laehn’s news.
