Three Iowa attorneys have received public reprimands following disciplinary proceedings involving allegations of professional misconduct, according to the Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board.
One of the cases involves Michael S.A. Hudson, a special assistant United States attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa.
According to the board, Hudson applied in May 2026 for an open district court judgeship in Iowa’s First Judicial District. The board alleges that significant portions of his application were copied from materials submitted by Judge Justin Lightfoot when he sought a judicial appointment in 2021.
The disciplinary board said a comparison of the two applications showed similarities in organization, sentence structure and language, with some passages reproduced word for word.
Hudson acknowledged using Lightfoot’s application as a framework for his own. He reportedly intended to rewrite portions in his own words.
The board also noted that the application discussed Hudson’s commitment to honesty, legal writing abilities and work ethic.
After being contacted by Lightfoot, Hudson reported the matter to his employer and disclosed it to the governor’s office the following day.
The board determined that a public reprimand was appropriate. It also noted Hudson had no previous disciplinary history.
Two Other Iowa Attorneys Disciplined
The board also issued a public reprimand to Jacob Aaron Michael Van Cleaf of Des Moines.
According to disciplinary records, Van Cleaf accepted a client referral through a company called Speeding Ticket Advisor. The board alleged that he told the client he would enter a not-guilty plea and attempt to negotiate an agreement with the county attorney.
However, while the case was pending, Van Cleaf allegedly entered a guilty plea without first notifying the client. The client was informed afterward.
Van Cleaf previously received a public reprimand in June 2023 involving the handling of a guardianship case and the disclosure of confidential information about a former client.
Van Cleaf told the board that his office has changed its client intake procedures to help prevent similar issues in the future.
The third case involves James L. Bergkamp of Des Moines.
According to police and disciplinary records, an incident occurred on July 12, 2024, at a body-waxing business in Clive. Police alleged that Bergkamp engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct during an appointment.
Court records show Bergkamp pleaded guilty to assault causing mental illness on November 13, 2025.
The disciplinary board also cited Bergkamp’s admission that he scheduled the appointment knowing, based on previous experiences at the business, that it would result in sexual arousal.
Records further indicate Bergkamp had a prior 2012 arrest involving a prostitution sting. He later pleaded guilty to soliciting a prostitute and received a deferred judgment and a private admonishment from the disciplinary board.
Following the 2024 incident, Bergkamp received a public reprimand. Through his attorney, he declined to comment.
The Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board handles complaints involving attorney conduct and determines appropriate disciplinary action when professional standards have been violated.
