People v. Warren.

No. 24PDJ077. 9/25/2024. Stipulation to Discipline.

November 5, 2024

The Presiding Disciplinary Judge approved the parties’ stipulation to discipline and suspended Heather Annette Warren (attorney registration number 35952) for one year and one day. But Warren may petition to reinstate to the practice of law after serving at least 60 days of her suspension if she complies with her child support obligations and has no arrearages at that time. In either event, to be reinstated to the practice of law in Colorado, Warren must prove by clear and convincing evidence that she has been rehabilitated, has complied with all disciplinary orders and rules, and is fit to practice law. Warren’s suspension was effective on October 30, 2024.

Between September 2022 and June 2024, Warren missed 15 child support payments, leading the Colorado Family Support Registry to open a matter and the Adams County Department of Human Services to enter an appearance in Warren’s case. On July 9, 2024, Warren was ordered to make all child support payments through the Family Support Registry. After making some payments toward her arrearage, as of September 6, 2024, Warren still had an outstanding arrearage of $2,316. In addition, Warren has not contributed to her child’s day care or health insurance costs for over a year.

When Warren renewed her Colorado law license in 2023 and 2024, she falsely affirmed in her registration statements that she was in compliance with her child support obligation.

Through this conduct, Warren violated Colo. RPC 3.4(c) (a lawyer must not knowingly disobey an obligation under the rules of a tribunal) and Colo. RPC 8.4(c) (it is professional misconduct for a lawyer to engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation).