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DISBARMENT
Fred J. Grossblatt,
State Bar #82234, Portland, OR (October 19
In March 2011 Grossblatt was placed on interim suspension following his conviction for violating Oregon Revised Statutes § 475.840(3)(b), possession of a controlled substance; § 164.225, burglary in the first degree; § 165.800, identity theft; and § 164.043, third-degree theft. The Review Department determined that the felony convictions met the criteria for summary disbarment.
The order took effect November 18
Erin H. Humphries,
State Bar #110669, Anaheim (October 19
In February 2010 Humphries was suspended for 30 days and was to have remained suspended until the State Bar Court granted a motion terminating the suspension. She was disciplined for engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, communicating with a represented party, and engaging in acts of moral turpitude, dishonesty, or corruption. Conditions to the discipline required Humphries to notify clients and opposing counsel of her suspension within 30 days and to file an affidavit of compliance within 40 days. She failed to file the affidavit and provided no explanation to the State Bar. In aggravation, Humphries had a record of prior discipline, the underlying matter. In the current discipline, she demonstrated indifference toward rectification of or atonement for the consequences of her misconduct, and she failed to participate in the State Bar proceedings prior to entry of her default.
The order took effect November 18 Actions From Previous Issues
David I. Abrams,
State Bar #133545, Encino (October 19
In October 2004 Abrams represented a client in a marital dissolution. The house owned by the client and her husband had been sold in July 2004 and the proceeds from the sale, $299,435, were deposited into a client trust account maintained by the client’s prior attorney. In April 2005 the court ordered the prior attorney to transfer the funds to Abrams’s client trust account and ordered Abrams to disburse $27,598 to the Los Angeles Department of Child Support Services by check made payable to the court trustee. The prior attorney sent the funds to Abrams and the funds were deposited into Abrams’s client trust account in June 2005. Between July 2005 and March 2006 Abrams misappropriated approximately $44,436 from the client trust account, failed to pay out funds belonging to the client and her former husband, and failed to maintain $271,974 in trust.
In aggravation, the misconduct involved multiple acts of wrongdoing. In mitigation, Abrams had no record of prior discipline since being admitted to the bar in 1988. He cooperated with the State Bar during its investigation and proceedings. During the period of misconduct, he suffered from bipolar disorder, experienced extreme financial difficulties, and became alienated from his family and relatives due to his medical condition. Also, he presented evidence of his community service and volunteer work.
The order took effect November 18
Eric M. Borgerson,
State Bar #177943, New Orleans, LA (September 20
This action originally appeared in our May
Bryant K. Calloway,
State Bar #140431, Foothill Ranch (August 10
In January 2010 Calloway was suspended for two years and until he provided proof of his rehabilitation, fitness to practice, and learning and ability in the law. He was disciplined for failing to comply with conditions to a previous order of discipline. Conditions to the suspension required Calloway to notify clients and opposing counsel of his suspension within 30 days and to file an affidavit of compliance within 40 days. He failed to file the affidavit and provided no explanation to the State Bar for his noncompliance.
In aggravation, Calloway had a record of prior discipline, and the current misconduct involved multiple acts of wrongdoing. In mitigation, Calloway cooperated with the State Bar by entering into a stipulation and he testified to his record of community service.
The order took effect September 9
Harvey S. Doncey,
State Bar #231170, El Cajon (September 28
In aggravation, the misconduct involved violating the client trust account and misappropriating funds, which harmed the administration of justice and clients.
The order took effect October 28
Marilyn K. Freeman,
State Bar #119058, Sherman Oaks (September 20
In January 2005 Freeman was placed on interim suspension after being found culpable of misconduct for violating the above-mentioned Penal Code sections. Her conviction is now final, and the State Bar Court concluded that it met the criteria for summary disbarment.
The order took effect October 20
Michael C. Hall,
State Bar #230319, Ogden, UT (September 12
In August 2010 Hall was suspended for six months and placed on one year of probation for misappropriating client funds, failing to maintain client funds in trust, failing to competently perform legal services, failing to keep a client reasonably informed about significant developments in the client’s case, failing to respond to reasonable client inquiries, failing to promptly return client papers and property upon termination of employment, improperly withdrawing from representation, and engaging in acts of moral turpitude, dishonesty, or corruption. Hall was ordered to comply with certain conditions to the discipline, but he failed to contact the State Bar probation department to arrange a meeting, failed to file an affidavit of compliance with rule 9.20 within 40 days, and provided no explanation to the State Bar for his noncompliance.
In aggravation, Hall had a record of prior discipline, the underlying matter. In the current discipline he engaged in multiple acts of wrongdoing and demonstrated indifference toward rectification of or atonement for the consequences of his misconduct.
The order took effect October 14
Quincy N. Hoang,
State Bar #219421, San Jose (September 14
In February 2008 Hoang was suspended for 75 days and until he made restitution of $1,405 to one client, and until the State Bar Court terminated the suspension. He was disciplined for failing to competently perform legal services, failing to promptly respond to client inquiries, failing to keep a client informed about significant developments in the client’s case, and failing to return unearned fees. Conditions to the discipline required him to notify clients and opposing counsel of his suspension within 30 days and to file an affidavit of compliance within 40 days. He failed to file the affidavit and provided no explanation to the State Bar for his noncompliance.
In aggravation, Hoang had a record of prior discipline.
The order took effect October 14
Michael H. Inman,
State Bar #160042, Los Angeles (August 10
In aggravation, Inman had a record of prior discipline, and the current matter involved multiple acts of wrongdoing that demonstrated a pattern of misconduct. In mitigation, in late 2009 he joined the Lawyer Assistance Program seeking help with his substance abuse issues. He voluntarily took inactive status and entered into a stipulation with the State Bar.
The order took effect September 9
Jefferey M. Jones,
State Bar #125421, Folsom (October 4
In aggravation, the misconduct involved multiple acts of wrongdoing that harmed clients and the administration of justice. Jones demonstrated indifference toward rectification of or atonement for the consequences of his misconduct and failed to cooperate with the State Bar prior to entry of his default. In mitigation, Jones had no record of prior discipline since being admitted to the bar in 1986.
The order took effect November 3
Ronald C. Kline,
State Bar #58903, Irvine (July 27
In December 2005 Kline was convicted on four counts for possessing images of child pornography, and the following March he was placed on interim suspension.
In aggravation, the misconduct harmed the public and the administration of justice and involved multiple acts of wrongdoing. In mitigation, during the period of his misconduct Kline experienced extreme emotional difficulties.
The order took effect August 26 |
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