MAGAZINE
California Lawyer
DISCIPLINE

DISBARMENT

Christopher E. Arras, State Bar #169854, Petaluma (February 21, 2013). Arras, 45, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so. He was charged with failing to competently perform legal services, failing to communicate with clients, failing to deposit client funds in trust, failing to obey a court order, and misappropriating funds. The order took effect March 23, 2013
David F. Brown, State Bar #172130, Modesto (February 14, 2013). Brown, 65, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so. The order took effect March 16, 2013
Robert E. Dowd, State Bar #93284, Bakersfield (February 21, 2013). Dowd, 68, was disbarred following his criminal conviction for violating Penal Code § 148(a)(1), resisting arrest, a misdemeanor; and for failing to comply with rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court.

In aggravation, Dowd had a record of prior discipline. He committed multiple acts of wrongdoing, and he demonstrated indifference toward recti-fication of or atonement for the consequences of his misconduct. In mitigation, Dowd cooperated with the State Bar by entering into a comprehensive stipulation. The order took effect March 21, 2013

Stephen C. Downey, State Bar #70689, Woodland Hills (February 21, 2013). Downey, 66, was disbarred for failing to comply with conditions to a previous order of discipline.

In aggravation, Downey had a record of prior discipline. In mitigation, he cooperated with the State Bar by entering into a stipulation. The order took effect March 23, 2013

Ronald G. Finch, State Bar #70822, Scottsdale, AZ (February 14, 2013). Finch, 63, was disbarred for failing to comply with conditions to a previous order of discipline.

In aggravation, Finch had a record of prior discipline. He committed multiple acts of wrongdoing, and he demonstrated indifference toward rectification of or atonement for his misconduct. The order took effect March 16, 2013

Ramon M. Gonzalez, State Bar #220891, Hollywood (February 14, 2013). Gonzalez, 44, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so. He was charged with 48 counts of misconduct in twelve client matters. The order took effect March 16, 2013
Craig M. Laverty, State Bar #176586, Laguna Niguel (March 7, 2013). Laverty, 59, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so. He was charged with misconduct in 14 separate client matters and found culpable of engaging in the unauthorized practice of law in a jurisdiction where he was not licensed, collecting advance attorneys fees from clients in that jurisdiction, and failing to refund unearned fees. The order took effect April 6, 2013
Alexandre N. Lebecki, State Bar #152475, Los Angeles (February 21, 2013). Lebecki, 49, was disbarred for failing to maintain client funds in trust, misappropriating funds, and committing an act involving moral turpitude, dishonesty, or corruption.

In aggravation, Lebecki’s misconduct involved trust fund violations that harmed his clients. Also, he engaged in multiple acts of wrongdoing. In mitigation, Lebecki had no record of prior discipline since being admitted to the State Bar in 1991, and he entered into a comprehensive stipulation prior to trial. The order took effect March 23, 2013

Howard R. Levine, State Bar #105973, San Fernando (February 27, 2013). Levine, 56, was disbarred for failing to notify a client of receipt of funds, failing to maintain client funds in trust, failing to promptly disburse client funds, accepting fees from a nonclient, charging an unconscionable fee, and committing an act involving moral turpitude.

In aggravation, Levine had a record of prior discipline. He committed multiple acts of wrongdoing, and he demonstrated indifference toward rectification of or atonement for the consequences of his misconduct. In mitigation, Levine cooperated with the State Bar by entering into a stipulation. The order took effect March 29, 2013

Ric A. Militello, State Bar #193675, San Diego (February 7, 2013). Militello, 42, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so. He had failed to comply with conditions to a previous order of discipline.

In aggravation, Militello had a record of prior discipline. The order took effect March 9, 2013

Fadlo Mousalam, State Bar #38640, Castro Valley (February 21, 2013). Mousalam, 73, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so. He had failed to comply with conditions to a previous order of discipline. The order took effect March 23, 2013
Eden B. Noe, State Bar #236172, Playa Vista (February 21, 2013). Noe, 34, was disbarred following his conviction for violating Penal Code § 470(b), forgery, a felony involving moral turpitude. The conviction is now final, and the State Bar concluded that it met the criteria for summary disbarment. The order took effect March 23, 2013
Lawrence M. Perlmutter, State Bar #126165, Boston, MA (). Perlmutter, 53, was disbarred following his conviction for violating 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956(h) and 1956(a)(3), conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering; and 31 U.S.C. § 5324(b)(1), failure to file a currency report, felonies involving moral turpitude. The conviction is now final, and the State Bar concluded that it met the criteria for summary disbarment.
Paul W. Petersen, State Bar #170922, Huntington Beach (February 7, 2013). Petersen, 52, was disbarred for collecting advance fees in connection with loan modification work in violation of Civil Code § 2944.7(a), and for failing to refund unearned fees. He was charged with 25 counts of misconduct involving eleven different clients.

Although Petersen initially filed responses to the notices of disciplinary charges against him, he failed to appear for trial. He was ordered to pay restitution of $30,711. The order took effect March 9, 2013

Michael S. Pratter, State Bar #40277, Las Vegas, NV (February 7, 2013). Pratter, 72, was disbarred for failing to disburse client funds in his possession, failing to maintain client funds in trust, misappropriating funds, and engaging in an act of moral turpitude, dishonesty, or corruption.

In aggravation, Pratter had a record of prior discipline, and he engaged in multiple acts of wrongdoing that harmed his client. In mitigation, Pratter cooperated with the State Bar by entering into a stipulation. The order took effect March 9, 2013

James V. Reiss, State Bar #128020, Rancho Cucamonga (February 14, 2013). Reiss, 51, was disbarred for taking clients’ money by false pretenses, lying to the court and his clients about the status of cases, forging a client’s signature on a settlement agreement, retaining unearned fees, failing to render proper accounting, writing checks against insufficient funds, making client loans without proper written consent, and failing to cooperate with a State Bar investigation.

In aggravation, Reiss’s misconduct involved multiple acts of wrongdoing involving six clients, including a ten-year pattern of deception to cover up the mismanagement of their cases. He also significantly harmed several clients. In addition, Reiss displayed a lack of insight and remorse, making him an ongoing danger to the public. In mitigation, Reiss had no record of prior discipline since being admitted to the State Bar in 1987. The order took effect March 16, 2013

Hamid Taghizadeh, State Bar #194627, Encino (February 14, 2013). Taghizadeh, 50, was disbarred following his conviction for violating Penal Code § 288(a), committing a lewd act upon a child under the age of 14, a felony involving moral turpitude. The conviction is now final, and the State Bar concluded that it met the criteria for summary disbarment. The order took effect March 16, 2013
Phich K. Taing, State Bar #244372, Alhambra (February 14, 2013). Taing, 33, was disbarred for failing to participate in disciplinary proceedings after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so. He had been charged with failing to maintain client funds in trust, misappropriating funds, failing to release a client file, failing to cooperate with a State Bar investigation, and engaging in an act of moral turpitude, dishonesty, or corruption. He was ordered to pay restitution in three client matters. The order took effect March 16, 2013
William P. Terhune, State Bar #129210, Pismo Beach (February 14, 2013). Terhune, 57, was disbarred following his conviction for violating Penal Code § 487(a), grand theft, a felony involving moral turpitude. The conviction is now final, and the State Bar concluded that it met the criteria for summary disbarment. The order took effect March 16, 2013

Actions From Previous Issues

Eirene A. Anthony, State Bar #107511, Los Angeles (December 10, 2012). Anthony, 69, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so. Anthony was charged with failing to competently perform legal services, improperly withdrawing from representation, failing to render an appropriate accounting, and failing to refund unearned fees. She failed to file a response, and her default was entered. The order took effect January 10, 2013

This action originally appeared in our March 2013 issue.
Clarence M. Balingit, State Bar #194890, Florence, AZ (January 9, 2013). Balingit, 48, was disbarred for failing to timely comply with rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court. In aggravation, Balingit had a record of prior discipline. The order took effect February 8, 2013

This action originally appeared in our April 2013 issue.
Enid G. Ballantyne, State Bar #84279, Pasadena (January 23, 2013). Ballantyne, 69, was disbarred for failing to maintain client funds in trust, failing to render an accounting, failing to promptly pay client funds, and engaging in an act involving moral turpitude.

In 2005, a client employed Ballantyne to represent her in various legal matters. In June 2006, the client inherited $259,000. The client requested that Ballantyne hold the funds in a client trust account because she owed money to the IRS. After advising the client of the potential criminal consequences of not filing federal tax returns, Ballantyne agreed to hold the money in her trust account.

The following year Ballantyne began experiencing financial difficulties and started to take some of the client’s money from the trust account to cover her own expenses. In July 2008 the client retained a new attorney, who wrote to Ballantyne inquiring about the funds and requesting an accounting. Ballantyne did not respond to the letter. In January 2009 Ballantyne wrote the client a letter acknowledging that she had made a mistake, and she promised to begin making monthly repayments of $500. Seven months later, the client’s new lawyer once again sent Ballantyne a letter demanding an accounting. Ballantyne made some payments to the client, but she still owed a balance of $11,725. Finally, in February 2011, the client filed a complaint with the State Bar.

In aggravation, Ballantyne committed multiple acts of wrongdoing that significantly harmed her client. In mitigation, she had no record of discipline since being admitted to the State Bar in 1978. Also, she entered into an extensive stipulation of facts. The order took effect February 22, 2013

This action originally appeared in our April 2013 issue.

Jennifer J. Beerman, State Bar #207877, La Quinta (December 31, 2012). Beerman, 40, was disbarred for failing to maintain client funds in trust, failing to promptly pay funds that a client was entitled to receive, and committing an act involving moral turpitude.

In aggravation, Beerman’s misconduct significantly harmed her client. Also, she engaged in multiple acts of wrongdoing. In mitigation, Beerman had no record of prior discipline since being admitted to the State Bar in 2000. The order took effect January 31, 2013

This action originally appeared in our April 2013 issue.

Wyman P. Berryessa, State Bar #196843, Beirut, (January 25, 2013). Berryessa, 40, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so. The order took effect February 24, 2013

This action originally appeared in our April 2013 issue.
Peter J. Cabbiness, State Bar #185376, Clovis (December 10, 2012). Cabbiness, 44, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so.

Cabbiness was charged with 20 counts of violating the Rules of Professional Conduct and the Business and Professions Code. He did not respond to notice that failing to participate in the proceedings would result in a disbarment recommendation. The State Bar entered his default and petitioned for disbarment.

In aggravation, Cabbiness had a record of prior discipline. The order took effect January 10, 2013

This action originally appeared in our March 2013 issue.

Susana R. Chung, State Bar #177006, Los Angeles (January 9, 2013). Chung, 62, was disbarred for filing fraudulent cases against insurance carriers involving staged accidents, felonies involving moral turpitude.

In 2011 Chung was charged with 28 felonies, including 12 counts of violating Penal Code § 549, which involved unlawful solicitation, acceptance, or referral of business with knowledge of, or reckless disregard for, intent to file fraudulent claims. She was also charged with several counts related to insurance fraud.

The criminal prosecution was the result of a four-year investigation conducted by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, the California Department of Insurance, and the California Highway Patrol. Called “Phantom Menace,” the probe revealed that from 2003 through 2007, Chung paid fees to a capper and submitted false and fraudulent insurance claims for at least 12 staged automobile accidents, including fraudulent chiropractic treatment and inflated damages. Several individuals involved in the fraudulent insurance scheme were also convicted. Chung profited by keeping portions of the payments received from the insurance carriers. At all times, Chung knew that the cases she was purchasing from the capper were fraudulently staged accidents.

In May 2011 Chung entered a plea of no contest and was convicted of two felony violations of Penal Code § 549. She was sentenced to two days in jail and five years of probation. In addition, she was ordered to pay restitution of $118,000 to the victims of her misconduct, and $118,000 in fines to the court. The conviction is now final, and the State Bar concluded that it met the criteria for summary disbarment.

In aggravation, Chung committed multiple acts of wrongdoing that demonstrated a pattern of misconduct. Moreover, her misconduct was surrounded by bad faith and dishonesty that caused significant harm to the public and the administration of justice. Also, she demonstrated indifference by refusing to timely pay restitution to the victims or fines to the court. In mitigation, Chung cooperated with the State Bar by entering into a stipulation. The order took effect February 8, 2013

This action originally appeared in our April 2013 issue.

Frank W. Dedman, Jr., State Bar #39050, Sacramento (January 9, 2013). Dedman, 72, was disbarred for collecting advance fees in connection with loan modification work in violation of Civil Code § 2944.7(a), and for failing to refund unearned fees.

In aggravation, Dedman had a record of prior discipline. The order took effect February 8, 2013

This action originally appeared in our April 2013 issue.

Wolodymyr Y. Dozorsky, State Bar #98515, Irvine (December 12, 2012). Dozorsky, 63, was disbarred for aiding in the unauthorized practice of law, failing to competently perform legal services, failing to report sanctions, and failing to obey a court order.

In aggravation, Dozorsky had a record of prior discipline. Also, his misconduct involved multiple acts of wrongdoing that caused significant harm to his client. The order took effect January 12, 2013

This action originally appeared in our March 2013 issue.

William M. Feldman, State Bar #89222, Los Angeles (November 19, 2012). Feldman, 65, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so. The order took effect December 19, 2012

This action originally appeared in our March 2013 issue.
Lisa Y. Goldstein, State Bar #220669, Livermore (December 31, 2012). Goldstein, 50, was disbarred for failing to participate in disciplinary proceedings after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so.

In a single client matter, Goldstein was charged with failing to communicate, failing to obey a court order, failing to render an appropriate accounting, failing to take steps to avoid reasonably foreseeable prejudice to her client after termination of representation, and failing to cooperate or participate in a disciplinary investigation. The order took effect January 30, 2013

This action originally appeared in our March 2013 issue.

Davide Golia, State Bar #118464, Los Angeles (December 10, 2012). Golia, 52, was disbarred following his conviction for violating 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 1344, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, a felony involving moral turpitude.

The conviction is now final, and the State Bar concluded that it met the criteria for summary disbarment. The order took effect January 10, 2013

This action originally appeared in our March 2013 issue.

John H. Griffin, State Bar #220368, El Cerrito (December 10, 2012). Griffin, 49, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so.

In January 2011 Griffin was suspended for 60 days and placed on four years of probation. In September of that year he was suspended for a minimum of one year, subject to compliance with certain specified conditions attached to the previous order of discipline. After being charged with failing to comply with those conditions, Griffin failed to participate in the proceedings, his default was entered, and the State Bar petitioned for his disbarment.

The order took effect January 9, 2013

This action originally appeared in our March 2013 issue.

Eugene M. Hannon, State Bar #85632, Walnut Creek (January 15, 2013). Hannon, 65, was disbarred for misappropriating funds, violating a court order, and committing acts involving moral turpitude.

In aggravation, Hannon committed multiple acts of wrongdoing. His misconduct caused significant harm to his client, and he failed to make restitution. Also, he failed to appreciate or understand the wrongfulness of his conduct. In mitigation, Hannon had no record of discipline since being admitted to the State Bar in 1979. He cooperated by entering into a stipulation of facts. The order took effect February 14, 2013

This action originally appeared in our April 2013 issue.

John M. Harrison, State Bar #144964, Newport Beach (January 15, 2013). Harrison, 60, was disbarred for failing to competently perform legal services, failing to promptly respond to reasonable status inquiries, failing to refund unearned fees, aiding in the unauthorized practice of law, negotiating an advance fee for loan modification services, failing to communicate with a client, soliciting for loan modification services, and accepting the representation of clients in a jurisdiction where he was not licensed to practice law.

In May 2009 a client signed a retainer agreement with Harrison for a home loan modification matter and authorized him to take from his bank account $3,750 in advance legal fees. Between then and August, the client called Harrison’s law office numerous times to inquire about the status of the case, but Harrison did not respond. In August the client requested a refund of unearned fees. In September the client received a notice of foreclosure from his lender, Bank of America, and he filed for bankruptcy. Harrison provided no services of value to the client and did not refund any portion of the legal fees.

In a second matter, in September 2009 two clients in Hawaii received an unsolicited mailing from Waypoint Law Group Inc., which was run by Harrison, notifying them that they had been pre-selected for a loan modification.

Harrison was not admitted to practice law in Hawaii. The clients called Waypoint and spoke to a nonattorney employee, who informed them that they would be charged a flat fee of $4,450 for a loan modification. The clients agreed to hire Waypoint and paid the fee. That November, Bank of America told the clients that it had received documentation from Waypoint, but advised them to negotiate with the bank directly because they would not be charged a fee. The clients received a fee refund of $2,175 from Bank of America, but Harrison never refunded the advance legal fees he had accepted.

There were twelve other matters involving similar conduct that warranted discipline.

In aggravation, Harrison had a record of prior discipline, and he engaged in multiple acts of wrongdoing that significantly harmed his clients. In mitigation, Harrison cooperated with the State Bar by entering into a stipulation of facts. The order took effect February 14, 2013

This action originally appeared in our April 2013 issue.

Kevin M. Healy, State Bar #173479, Santa Rosa (January 16, 2013). Healy, 50, was disbarred for maintaining an unjust action and committing acts of moral turpitude by engaging in a lengthy pattern of vexatious litigation that caused significant harm to his former client and to the administration of justice.

In aggravation, Healy had a record of prior discipline. Over the course of four years, he committed multiple acts of wrongdoing by filing frivolous pleadings and disobeying court orders, thereby establishing a significant pattern of misconduct. Also, he demonstrated a lack of remorse and insight regarding his actions. The order took effect February 15, 2013

This action originally appeared in our April 2013 issue.

John M. Heurlin, State Bar #119899, Tustin (December 10, 2012). Heurlin, 55, was disbarred for engaging in the unauthorized practice of law.

In aggravation, Heurlin had a record of three prior disciplinary matters, and he demonstrated indifference to the consequences of his misconduct. Also, he committed multiple acts of wrongdoing by repeatedly misrepresenting himself as a licensed attorney in good standing when he was not. The order took effect January 10, 2013

This action originally appeared in our March 2013 issue.

Frank J. Ingrassia, State Bar #123918, West Palm Beach, FL (January 9, 2013). Ingrassia, 53, was disbarred following his conviction in Florida for forgery and publishing forged documents, felonies involving moral turpitude.

On December 21, 2010, Ingrassia pleaded guilty to forgery and uttering forged instruments in violation of Florida Statutes §§ 831.01 and 831.02.2. The conviction is now final, and the State Bar concluded that it met the criteria for summary disbarment. The order took effect February 8, 2013

This action originally appeared in our April 2013 issue.

John E. Jones, State Bar #69051, Daly City (January 15, 2013). Jones, 69, was disbarred for failing to participate in disciplinary proceedings after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so.

In June 2011 Jones was suspended for 90 days and placed on two years of probation. He failed to comply with conditions to the disciplinary order, and failed to comply with rule 9.20 of the Rules of Court. The order took effect February 14, 2013

This action originally appeared in our April 2013 issue.

Kevin P. Kelley, State Bar #140462, Santa Ana (January 25, 2013). Kelley, 55, was disbarred for failing to comply with conditions to a previous order of discipline.

In aggravation, Kelley had a record of prior discipline, and he committed multiple acts of wrongdoing that significantly harmed his client. Also, he demonstrated indifference toward rectification of or atonement for his misconduct by failing to promptly refund unearned fees. In mitigation, Kelley cooperated with the State Bar by entering into a stipulation. The order took effect February 24, 2013

This action originally appeared in our April 2013 issue.

Steven P. Mancuso, State Bar #218585, Utica, NY (January 9, 2013). Mancuso, 41, was disbarred following his conviction for conspiracy to commit mail fraud, a felony involving moral turpitude.

In June 2010 a New York court found Mancuso guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 1341, a felony involving moral turpitude. The conviction is now final, and the State Bar has concluded that it met the criteria for summary disbarment. The order took effect February 8, 2013

This action originally appeared in our April 2013 issue.

John A. Pettis, State Bar #51334, Pleasant Hill (January 9, 2013). Pettis, 66, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so, and failing to comply with conditions to a previous order of discipline. The order took effect February 8, 2013

This action originally appeared in our April 2013 issue.
Jac F. Pouliot, State Bar #62431, San Diego (December 10, 2012). Pouliot, 71, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so.

Pouliot was convicted of violating Penal Code § 245, subdivision (a)(1), felony assault with a deadly weapon. In September 2011 the State Bar served a notice of disciplinary charges on Pouliot, stating that failure to participate in the proceeding would result in a disbarment recommendation. Pouliot participated in a status conference but failed to file a response to the notice. In May 2012 the State Bar moved for entry of Pouliot’s default and petitioned for disbarment. The order took effect January 10, 2013

This action originally appeared in our March 2013 issue.

Albert F. Quintrall, State Bar #58066, San Diego (December 31, 2012). Quintrall, 65, was disbarred for failing to maintain client funds in trust, failing to keep a client reasonably informed of developments, disobeying an order of the court, failing to report to the State Bar, failing to comply with rule 9.20 of the Rules of Court, and engaging in an act involving moral turpitude.

In aggravation, Quintrall had a record of prior discipline, his misconduct involved multiple acts of wrongdoing, and he failed to make restitution to the client. The order took effect January 31, 2013

This action originally appeared in our March 2013 issue.

Randall K. Rupp, State Bar #165774, Camarillo (December 10, 2012). Rupp, 62, was disbarred for failing to comply with rule 9.20 of the Rules of Court.

In aggravation, Rupp had a record of prior discipline. The order took effect January 10, 2013

This action originally appeared in our March 2013 issue.

Wade R. Sanders, State Bar #58212, San Diego (December 10, 2012). Sanders, 71, was disbarred following his conviction for violating 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(4)(B), possession of images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, a felony involving moral turpitude.

In aggravation, the misconduct harmed the minors in the images Sanders possessed, and it contributed support to an industry that sexually exploits and degrades children. In mitigation, Sanders had no record of prior discipline since being admitted to the State Bar in 1973. Also, he cooperated with prosecutors and the State Bar and submitted 80 letters attesting to his good character, including one from U.S. Senator John Kerry. The order took effect January 9, 2013

This action originally appeared in our March 2013 issue.

Rene W. Sanz, State Bar #175351, Los Angeles (January 15, 2013). Sanz, 45, was disbarred for failing to maintain client funds in trust, failing to promptly pay client funds, misappropriating funds, failing to competently perform legal services, making false statements, and failing to return unearned fees.

In aggravation, Sanz committed multiple acts of wrongdoing that caused significant harm to his clients. In mitigation, Sanz had no record of prior discipline since being admitted to the State Bar in 1994. Also, he cooperated by entering into a stipulation. The order took effect February 14, 2013

This action originally appeared in our April 2013 issue.

Charles J. Slone, State Bar #146307, San Jose (January 9, 2013). Slone, 50, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so.

In 2009 Slone was convicted of violating Penal Code § 148(a)(1), resisting arrest, based on his actions following an arrest for public intoxication. Although the facts and circumstances surrounding Slone’s conviction did not involve moral turpitude, they did constitute other misconduct warranting discipline. His conviction is now final, and the State Bar has concluded that it met the criteria for summary disbarment. The order took effect February 8, 2013

This action originally appeared in our April 2013 issue.

Stephen S. Smith, State Bar #108137, Venice (January 25, 2013). Smith, 65, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so. The order took effect February 24, 2013

This action originally appeared in our April 2013 issue.
John St. John, State Bar #54642, San Rafael (December 10, 2012). St. John, 65, was disbarred for failing to comply with rule 9.20 of the Rules of Court.

In aggravation, St. John had a record of prior discipline. The order took effect January 10, 2013

This action originally appeared in our March 2013 issue.

Cynthia A. Thomas, State Bar #96180, Elk Grove (January 9, 2013). Thomas, 57, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so. The order took effect February 8, 2013

This action originally appeared in our April 2013 issue.
James A. Wall, State Bar #197981, Napa (January 15, 2013). Wall, 55, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so. The order took effect February 14, 2013

This action originally appeared in our April 2013 issue.
Thomas J. Wallace, State Bar #220396, Bakersfield (December 19, 2012). Wallace, 39, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so.

In August 2011 the State Bar filed a notice of disciplinary charges against Wallace for failing to maintain client funds in trust, commingling, using client funds for personal expenses, and failing to participate in a disciplinary investigation and proceeding. Wallace did not respond, and his default was entered in October of that year. In April 2012, the State Bar petitioned for disbarment. The order took effect January 19, 2013

This action originally appeared in our March 2013 issue.

Daniel P. Willsey, State Bar #143772, La Crescenta (December 19, 2012). Willsey, 52, was disbarred following his conviction for violating Penal Code § 191.5(a), gross vehicular manslaughter, a felony involving moral turpitude; and for commingling funds, failing to maintain complete records of client funds, failing to cooperate in a disciplinary investigation, and failing to comply with an order.

In November 2006 Willsey’s vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic, hitting another vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle was killed, and a passenger was injured. An investigation determined that Willsey had been under the influence of a controlled substance; a small amount of methamphetamine and a 12-gauge shotgun were found in his vehicle. Willsey pled nolo contendere to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and was sentenced to six years in state prison.

In aggravation, Willsey had a record of prior discipline, and the misconduct resulted in the death of one person and injury to another. Also, two additional disciplinary matters involved multiple acts of wrongdoing. The order took effect January 19, 2013

This action originally appeared in our March 2013 issue.