MAGAZINE
California Lawyer
DISCIPLINE

DISBARMENT

Jaeffrey J. Artz, State Bar #163141, Santa Fe Springs (October 17, 2012). Artz, 59, was disbarred for failing to comply with rule 9.20 of the Rules of Court.

In aggravation, Artz had a record of prior discipline. Also, he lacked candor during his testimony at trial, and had uncharged misconduct for the unauthorized practice of law. The order took effect November 16, 2012

Daniel Duchanin, State Bar #189983, Oklahoma City, OK (October 17, 2012). Duchanin, 49, was disbarred for failing to comply with conditions to a previous order of discipline, and failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding. The order took effect November 16, 2012
Ali E. Galam, State Bar #123778, Murrieta (October 9, 2012). Galam, 53, was disbarred for failing to inform clients of their settlement funds, failing to maintain client funds in trust, failing to render an accounting, misappropriating funds, and engaging in an act involving moral turpitude, dishonesty, or corruption. In mitigation, Galam had no record of discipline since being admitted to the State Bar in 1986. The order took effect November 8, 2012
Nicholas O. Hedding, State Bar #227160, Winnetka (October 9, 2012). Hedding, 38, was disbarred for failing to maintain client funds in trust, engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, collecting an illegal advance fee in a loan modification matter, failing to keep a client informed of significant developments, and committing an act involving moral turpitude.

In aggravation, Hedding had a record of prior discipline. In mitigation, he cooperated with the State Bar and other law enforcement agencies during their investigations. The order took effect November 8, 2012

Bruce G. Jones, State Bar #43448, Oxnard (October 9, 2012). Jones, 71, was disbarred for failing to comply with conditions to a previous order of discipline.

In aggravation, Jones had a record of prior discipline, engaged in multiple acts of wrongdoing, and demonstrated indifference toward rectification of or atonement for his misconduct. In mitigation, he cooperated with the State Bar by entering into a stipulation. The order took effect November 8, 2012

Michael S. Kerekes, State Bar #130267, Santa Monica (October 9, 2012). Kerekes, 50, was disbarred following his conviction for violating 18 U.S.C. § 371 (conspiracy to defraud the United States) by attempting to evade income taxes (26 U.S.C. § 7201); making and subscribing a false income tax return (26 U.S.C. § 7206(1)); aiding and assisting the preparation of false tax returns (26 U.S.C. § 7206(2)); and corruptly endeavoring to obstruct the due administration of internal revenue laws (26 U.S.C. § 7212(a)). His conviction is now final, and the State Bar concluded it met the criteria for summary disbarment. The order took effect November 8, 2012
Jon R. Kniss, State Bar #141454, Santa Fe, NM (August 28, 2012). Kniss, 55, was disbarred for failing to participate in disciplinary proceedings after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so. In aggravation, Kniss had a record of prior discipline. The order took effect September 27, 2012
Francisco S. Nogales, State Bar #212819, Newhall (October 17, 2012). Nogales, 58, was disbarred for failing to competently perform legal services, failing to take reasonable steps to avoid foreseeable prejudice to a client, and collecting illegal advance fees in loan modification matters.

In aggravation, Nogales had a record of prior discipline, and his misconduct caused his clients significant harm. Also, he engaged in multiple acts of wrongdoing that demonstrated a pattern of misconduct. In mitigation, Nogales cooperated with the State Bar’s investigation and proceedings. The order took effect November 16, 2012

Kerrington F. Osborne, State Bar #146539, Redlands (October 9, 2012). Osborne, 50, was disbarred following his conviction for violating Penal Code § 487(a), grand theft, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; failing to participate in disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so; and failing to comply with rule 9.20 of the Rules of Court. The order took effect November 8, 2012
Kendall R. Paulson, State Bar #120688, Newport Beach (August 28, 2012). Paulson, 51, was disbarred for failing to maintain client funds in trust, misappropriating funds, and committing acts involving moral turpitude, dishonesty, or corruption.

In aggravation, Paulson caused significant financial harm to his client and exhibited indifference toward rectification of or atonement for his misconduct. In mitigation, Paulson had no record of prior discipline since being admitted to the bar in 1985. The order took effect September 27, 2012

Deb C. Pedersdotter, State Bar #131815, San Diego (August 16, 2012). Pedersdotter, 55, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so. The order took effect September 15, 2012
Michael T. Pines, State Bar #77771, Carlsbad (October 17, 2012). Pines, 60, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so. The order took effect November 16, 2012
Theodore A. Pinnock, State Bar #153434, Carmona, (August 22, 2012). Pinnock, 49, was disbarred for filing cases without authority, failing to maintain client funds in trust, commingling funds, failing to render an accounting, and committing an act involving moral turpitude.

In aggravation, Pinnock had a record of prior discipline. In mitigation, Pinnock has severe health problems. The order took effect September 21, 2012

Holly J. Quint, State Bar #183681, Orinda (September 25, 2012). Quint, 55, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so. She was charged with 13 counts of misconduct involving four different clients. The order took effect October 25, 2012
James W. Robertson, State Bar #140969, South Lake Tahoe (August 28, 2012). Robertson, 72, was disbarred following his conviction in British Columbia on ten counts of child sexual assault and two counts of common assault. The victims were Robertson’s children, stepchildren, stepgrandchild, and a friend of his stepchild.

In aggravation, Robertson was convicted of twelve criminal acts involving moral turpitude. In mitigation, he cooperated with the State Bar by stipulating to disbarment. The order took effect September 27, 2012

Charles V. Stebley, State Bar #158219, El Dorado Hills (October 9, 2012). Stebley, 67, was disbarred for failing to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so. The order took effect November 8, 2012
Angela K. West, State Bar #139555, Chicago, IL (August 21, 2012). West, 51, was disbarred following her conviction for violating Penal Code §§ 417(a)(1) and 243(b), drawing or exhibiting a deadly weapon other than a firearm in a rude, angry, or threatening manner; and battery against a police officer, both misdemeanors. In addition, she failed to participate in a disciplinary proceeding after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so. The order took effect September 20, 2012
Thomas M. Witte, State Bar #107542, Fair Oaks (September 19, 2012). Witte, 57, was disbarred for failing to maintain respect due to the courts, failing to maintain just or legal proceedings, and committing acts of moral turpitude.

In aggravation, Witte had a record of prior discipline. Also, he demonstrated a lack of insight and remorse for his misconduct. The order took effect October 19, 2012

Actions From Previous Issues

Michael B. Baker, State Bar #53099, Encino (August 28, 2012). Baker, 65, was disbarred for failing to participate in disciplinary proceedings after receiving adequate notice and opportunity to do so, and misappropriating $35,698 of his clients’ funds.

In aggravation, Baker had a record of prior discipline. The order took effect September 27, 2012

This action originally appeared in our December 2012 issue.

Joseph A. Bernal, State Bar #119448, Pasadena (May 22, 2012). Bernal, 55, was disbarred for failing to competently perform legal services and failing to refund unearned fees.

In aggravation, Bernal had a record of prior discipline. The order took effect June 21, 2012

This action originally appeared in our December 2012 issue.

Kelly W. Bixby, State Bar #53166, Los Angeles (July 11, 2012). Bixby, 65, was disbarred for engaging in acts of moral turpitude.

In aggravation, Bixby engaged in multiple acts of wrongdoing that harmed his clients. The order took effect August 10, 2012

This action originally appeared in our December 2012 issue.

Robert J. Buscho, State Bar #122556, Anaheim (August 21, 2012). Buscho, 53, was disbarred for failing to competently perform legal services, failing to promptly refund unearned fees, collecting an advance fee in a loan modification matter, failing to take reasonable steps to avoid foreseeable prejudice to a client, violating the regulations of the profession in New Jersey and in Missouri, and collecting an illegal fee. There were 17 other similar matters involving conduct warranting discipline.

In aggravation, Buscho had a record of prior discipline. In mitigation, Buscho cooperated with the State Bar’s investigation. The order took effect September 20, 2012

This action originally appeared in our December 2012 issue.

David L. Candaux, State Bar #65382, Woodland Hills (July 13, 2012). Candaux, 64, was disbarred for failing to comply with conditions to a previous order of discipline.

In aggravation, Candaux failed to participate in the State Bar’s investigation and proceedings prior to entry of his default. The order took effect August 12, 2012

This action originally appeared in our December 2012 issue.

Thomas P. Carey, State Bar #131995, San Francisco (July 11, 2012). Thomas Patrick Carey, State Bar # 131995, San Francisco (July 11). Carey, 53, was disbarred for failing to maintain client funds in trust, commingling funds, and failing to maintain trust account records.

In aggravation, Carey failed to participate in the State Bar’s investigation and proceedings prior to entry of his default. The order took effect August 10, 2012

This action originally appeared in our December 2012 issue.

Brian Y. Ching, State Bar #79456, Oakland (August 16, 2012). Ching, 62, was disbarred for failing to maintain client funds in trust, failing to notify a client of the receipt of funds, failing to disburse client funds, failing to maintain records, failing to respond to reasonable status inquiries, failing to competently perform legal services, failing to refund an unearned fee, and committing an act involving moral turpitude. There were three other similar matters involving conduct warranting discipline.

In aggravation, Ching had a record of prior discipline. In mitigation, Ching cooperated with the State Bar by entering a stipulation. The order took effect September 15, 2012

This action originally appeared in our December 2012 issue.

Richard D. Comess, State Bar #198665, Monrovia (September 25, 2012). Richard David Comess, State Bar # 198665, Monrovia (Sept. 25). Comess, 62, was disbarred for failing to comply with conditions to a previous order of discipline, and failing to respond to the petition for disbarment or to move to set aside or vacate the default.

In aggravation, Comess had a record of prior discipline. The order took effect October 25, 2012

This action originally appeared in our December 2012 issue.

Richard D. Corona, State Bar #56795, El Cajon (May 22, 2012). Corona, 64, was disbarred for failing to comply with rule 9.20 of the Rules of Court.

In mitigation, Corona cooperated with the State Bar by entering into a stipulation. The order took effect June 20, 2012

This action originally appeared in our December 2012 issue.

Janice M. Crowell, State Bar #209659, Carlsbad (August 9, 2012). Crowell, 64, was disbarred following her conviction for violating Penal Code § 484, petty theft, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude. After the conviction became final, the State Bar Court notified Crowell that failing to participate in disciplinary proceedings would result in a disbarment recommendation. Crowell failed to participate, and the State Bar petitioned for disbarment. The order took effect September 8, 2012

This action originally appeared in our December 2012 issue.