 In 2012, he received a public reprimand from the Disciplinary Board of the State Supreme Court due to his conduct as a private attorney.He was reprimanded for violations to the code of conduct for lawyers by representing a Utah-based "heir-hunting" firm while also representing three clients involved in estate settlements.The public reprimand was the result of an agreement that allowed Piccola to keep his lawyer license and the dismissal of more serious charges of fraud, dishonesty and champery.