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Texas Complaint Case Study

Grievance Against Robert A. Skipworth

Filed with the State Bar of Texas Chief Disciplinary Counsel’s Office

I. Summary of Complaint

Robert A. Skipworth

This complaint concerns a pattern of serious professional misconduct by Texas-licensed attorney Robert A. Skipworth. The evidence, detailed below and supported by the attached exhibits, demonstrates that Mr. Skipworth has engaged in:

  • Material Misrepresentation and Dishonesty: Making verifiably false statements in writing from his Texas law office about whom he represents to intimidate Texas residents.
  • Bad Faith and Retaliatory Litigation: Filing a lawsuit in a Texas court (2025DCV1201) to retaliate against me for exposing his misconduct.
  • Undisclosed Conflict of Interest: Simultaneously representing multiple clients with conflicting interests in the aforementioned Texas lawsuit.
  • A Pattern of Unethical Conduct: The actions in Texas are part of a broader, documented pattern of professional misconduct, including filing a separate lawsuit in New Mexico without client authority, willful negligence, and complicity in his clients' unlawful acts.

II. Factual Background

A. Misconduct Directly Related to Texas Jurisdiction

  • On March 20, 2024, in response to my investigation of his clients' activities at the Sierra del Sol (SDS) HOA in El Paso, Texas, Mr. Skipworth sent a letter from his Texas law office to me and a Texas homeowner. In this letter, he falsely claimed, "I represent the interests of Sierra del Sol." This was an attempt to intimidate me and interfere with my investigation. (Exhibit N)
  • This claim was a material misrepresentation. Mr. Skipworth's own client, Gil Stoltz (a Texas resident), later testified under oath in a Texas deposition, "Robert Skipworth does not represent Sierra Del Sol." This was also publicly confirmed by the SDS board president, vice president, and the owner of its management company, DANA Properties (a Texas entity). (Exhibit AL, p. 39; Exhibit AI)
  • On April 3, 2024, Mr. Skipworth was paid $150 from SDS HOA funds for "legal matters." Given that he did not represent the HOA, this suggests a pretextual payment, arranged by his clients who controlled the HOA's finances, to create a false paper trail for his claim of representation. (Exhibit P)
  • After I publicly exposed his false statement at the SDS annual meeting on February 11, 2025, and had him trespassed from the property on February 15, 2025, Mr. Skipworth filed lawsuit 2025DCV1201 in El Paso County against me on behalf of Gil Stoltz and DANA Properties; they all three had an axe to grind. This lawsuit was a direct act of retaliation for exposing their misconduct. (Exhibit AI, Exhibit AJ)

B. Pattern of Misconduct Evidenced by Concurrent New Mexico Actions

Mr. Skipworth's actions in Texas are part of a broader pattern of unethical conduct, as demonstrated by his concurrent actions in a related matter involving the El Mirador HOA (EMHOA) in New Mexico, for which he was also counsel.

  • Retaliatory Retention: On January 28, 2023, I questioned the EMHOA Treasurer's non-payment of dues. In retaliation, the board retained Mr. Skipworth, who immediately began preparing for a "laswuit [sic]" against me. (Exhibit A, Exhibit H)
  • Complicity in a Cover-Up: Mr. Skipworth was consulted by the EMHOA board before they secretly filed a 16-year-old, procedurally invalid bylaw amendment to retroactively justify the Treasurer's actions. (Exhibit B, Exhibit J)
  • Willful Negligence, Animus, and Dishonesty: When I formally notified him of his clients' unlawful actions, Mr. Skipworth admitted he had "not researched the accuracy" of my claims and dismissed the legal threat by stating I was "too cheap" to go to court. His emails show a clear personal animus, asking his client's agent, "When can I sue this guy?" Furthermore, after receiving a formal demand letter from the Davis Miles law firm on behalf of my wife in October 2023, Mr. Skipworth simply forwarded it to his client without advice. Ten months later, he falsely denied to his client's agent that he had ever received the letter. (Exhibit E, Exhibit AC, Exhibit L, Exhibit M, Exhibit V)
  • Acting Without Client Authority: On November 21, 2024, Mr. Skipworth filed a foreclosure lawsuit in New Mexico against my wife, Leticia Trevino, in direct defiance of his client's formally adopted policy not to foreclose for amounts under $7,500. His own office had confirmed in writing just two days prior that the complaint "were not filed" per the board's instructions. (Exhibit U, Exhibit AF, Exhibit AG)

III. Violations of Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct

Based on the foregoing facts, Robert A. Skipworth has violated the following Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct:

  • Rule 4.01 (Truthfulness in Statements to Others): By making a material misrepresentation in writing that he represented the Sierra del Sol HOA when he did not.
  • Rule 3.01 (Meritorious Claims and Contentions): By filing a retaliatory lawsuit in Texas (2025DCV1201) and by filing foreclosure lawsuits in New Mexico that he knew were contrary to his client's instructions and policies.
  • Rule 1.06 (Conflict of Interest): By representing co-plaintiffs Gil Stoltz and DANA Properties against the Sierra del Sol HOA's new leadership, and by representing both the El Mirador HOA and its management company, DANA Properties, without disclosure and to the detriment of the HOA.
  • Rule 1.01 (Competent and Diligent Representation): By failing to research the law and facts of a dispute, failing to know his client's own policies and bylaws, and filing actions based on incorrect legal premises.
  • Rule 8.04 (Misconduct): By engaging in conduct involving dishonesty (lying to his client's agent about the Davis-Miles letter) and misrepresentation, and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice through a pattern of retaliatory and bad-faith litigation.

IV. Evidence

Exhibit A

Video of Perkins questioning Treasurer Chavez's non-payment of dues.

Exhibit B

Improperly filed bylaw amendment to retroactively justify non-payment.

Exhibit C

Email from Skipworth endorsing hiring DANA to "shield the board."

Exhibit D

Formal notice from Perkins to Skipworth detailing meeting violations.

Exhibit E

Email from Skipworth admitting he had "not researched the accuracy" of claims.

Exhibit F

Management contract from unlawful meeting.

Exhibit G

Statutorily deficient special meeting notice.

Exhibit H

Invoice showing retention to address "COMPLAINTS AGAINST RONALD PERKINS."

Exhibit I

Email regarding a "Perkins Violations Hearing."

Exhibit J

Email from board admitting they consulted with Skipworth before filing amendment.

Exhibit K

Email from Skipworth showing bias: "This guy must be a buddy with Perkins."

Exhibit L

Formal letter from law firm to Skipworth detailing improper violation notice.

Exhibit M

Email showing Skipworth forwarding legal letter to client without advice.

Exhibit N

The "Hockenberry Letter," with material misrepresentation.

Exhibit O

Email from Perkins challenging Skipworth's false claim of representation.

Exhibit P

Check ledger suggesting a pretextual payment to Skipworth.

Exhibit Q

Official Cease and Desist letter from TREC to DANA Properties.

Exhibit R

Email from DANA demanding EMHOA pay for its legal defense.

Exhibit S

Letter from EMHOA President rejecting DANA's demand.

Exhibit T

Email from Skipworth referring to homeowners as the "Ron Perkins faction."

Exhibit U

Official minutes documenting the $7,500 foreclosure policy.

Exhibit V

Email where Skipworth falsely denies receiving a legal letter.

Exhibit W

Email from Skipworth's office requesting invoice for Leticia Trevino.

Exhibit X

Email from DANA formally notifying Skipworth's office of the foreclosure policy.

Exhibit Y

Vague and deficient violation letter sent by Skipworth.

Exhibit Z

Email from Perkins to Skipworth threatening bar complaints.

Exhibit AA

Email from Skipworth asking to sue anyway: "I really want to file this one."

Exhibit AB

Formal violation report from Perkins to Skipworth.

Exhibit AC

Email from Skipworth asking, "When can I sue this guy?"

Exhibit AD

Email from Skipworth confirming his awareness of the foreclosure policy.

Exhibit AE

Email from EMHOA board reiterating desire for "amicable agreement."

Exhibit AF

Email from Skipworth's secretary confirming complaints were not filed.

Exhibit AG

Official court complaint filed against Leticia Trevino in defiance of policy.

Exhibit AH

Official court complaint filed against Daniel Loya in defiance of policy.

Exhibit AI

Video of SDS HOA board denying Skipworth represents them.

Exhibit AJ

Video of Perkins having Skipworth trespassed from the SDS clubhouse.

Exhibit AK

Deposition transcript where EMHOA rep testifies she was unaware of lawsuit.

Exhibit AL

Deposition transcript where Gil Stoltz testifies Skipworth does not represent SDS HOA.

V. Case Updates

[As the case progresses through the State Bar's disciplinary system, updates will be posted here. This will include responses from the attorney, decisions from the CDC, and any other relevant developments.]

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Material Misrepresentation

Legal Concept: Material Misrepresentation

A material misrepresentation is a false statement of fact that is significant enough to influence the decision of a reasonable person. In a legal context, it's not just any lie, but a lie that matters to the outcome of a situation.

Dishonesty

Legal Concept: Dishonesty

In the context of legal ethics, dishonesty refers to conduct intended to deceive or mislead. It is a broad term that encompasses fraud, deceit, and misrepresentation, and is a serious violation of an attorney's duty of candor.

Bad Faith

Legal Concept: Bad Faith

Bad faith is the intention to deceive or mislead another person, or a refusal to fulfill a legal or contractual obligation without a reasonable basis. In litigation, it refers to pursuing a claim with a dishonest purpose.

Retaliatory Litigation

Legal Concept: Retaliatory Litigation

Retaliatory litigation is a lawsuit filed for the primary purpose of punishing someone for exercising a protected legal right, such as reporting misconduct or speaking out about an issue. It is considered an abuse of the legal process.

Conflict of Interest

Legal Concept: Conflict of Interest

A conflict of interest occurs when an attorney's duty to one client is compromised by their duty to another client, a former client, or their own personal interests. Attorneys have a strict duty to avoid such conflicts.

Pattern of Misconduct

Legal Concept: Pattern of Misconduct

A pattern of misconduct refers to a series of related unethical acts that suggest a consistent disregard for professional rules, rather than an isolated mistake. Establishing a pattern can lead to more severe disciplinary action.

Misconduct

Legal Concept: Misconduct

In a legal context, misconduct refers to any behavior by an attorney that violates the established rules of professional conduct for their jurisdiction. This can include a wide range of actions, from dishonesty to incompetence.

Jurisdiction

Legal Concept: Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction is the official power of a court or agency to make legal decisions and judgments over a particular person, subject matter, or territory. A state bar only has jurisdiction over attorneys licensed in that state.

Retaliatory Retention

Legal Concept: Retaliatory Retention

Retaliatory retention is the act of hiring a lawyer specifically to punish or intimidate someone for exercising a legal right, rather than for a legitimate legal purpose. It suggests that the legal action that follows is likely in bad faith.

Complicity

Legal Concept: Complicity

Complicity is the act of helping someone commit a crime or wrongful act. In a legal context, an attorney can be found complicit if they knowingly provide legal assistance or advice that enables a client's illegal or fraudulent conduct.

Cover-Up

Legal Concept: Cover-Up

A cover-up is an attempt, whether successful or not, to conceal evidence of wrongdoing, error, or other embarrassing information. In a legal setting, an attorney participating in a cover-up is a serious ethical violation.

Willful Negligence

Legal Concept: Willful Negligence

Willful negligence is a conscious and intentional disregard of a known duty or risk, which is likely to cause harm. It is a more serious charge than simple carelessness, as it implies the person knew they should act but chose not to.

Animus

Legal Concept: Animus

Animus refers to a strong feeling of dislike or hostility. In a legal context, it can be used to show that an action was motivated by personal ill will rather than a legitimate purpose, which can be a key element in proving bad faith.

Acting Without Authority

Legal Concept: Acting Without Client Authority

An attorney taking significant legal action, such as filing a lawsuit, without the client's permission or in direct opposition to their instructions. This violates the fundamental principle that the client determines the objectives of the representation.

Texas Rule 1.01

Texas Rule 1.01: Competent and Diligent Representation

A lawyer shall not neglect a legal matter entrusted to the lawyer, or frequently fail to carry out completely the obligations that the lawyer owes to a client or clients.

Texas Rule 1.02

Texas Rule 1.02: Scope and Objectives of Representation

A lawyer shall abide by a client's decisions concerning the objectives and general methods of representation.

Texas Rule 1.06

Texas Rule 1.06: Conflict of Interest

A lawyer shall not represent a client if the representation of that client will be directly adverse to the interests of another client.

Texas Rule 3.01

Texas Rule 3.01: Meritorious Claims and Contentions

A lawyer shall not bring or defend a proceeding, or assert or controvert an issue therein, unless the lawyer has a good faith belief that there is a basis for doing so that is not frivolous.

Texas Rule 4.01

Texas Rule 4.01: Truthfulness in Statements to Others

In the course of representing a client, a lawyer shall not knowingly make a false statement of material fact or law to a third person.

Texas Rule 8.04

Texas Rule 8.04: Misconduct

A lawyer shall not engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, or engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.