R. Scott Ferris was admitted to the California Bar 2nd December 1981, but has since been disbarred. R. graduated from University of San Diego SOL.
Lawyer Information
| Name | R. Scott Ferris |
|---|---|
| First Admitted | 2 December 1981 (43 years, 6 months ago) |
| Status | Disbarred |
| Bar Number | 101672 |
Contact
| Phone Number | 951-658-6565 |
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| Fax Number | 951-929-4563 |
Schools
| Law School | University of San Diego SOL (San Diego CA) |
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| Undergraduate School | University of California Riverside (CA) |
Address
| Current Address | Law Ofc Gilbert Y Nishino, 910 E Florida Ave #C-2 Hemet, CA 92543 |
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| Map |
History
| 26 January 2001 | Disbarred (24 years, 4 months ago) Disbarment 99-O-10665 |
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| 28 August 2000 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (24 years, 9 months ago) Ordered inactive 99-O-10665 |
| 12 June 2000 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (25 years ago) Ordered inactive 99-O-10665 |
| 12 June 2000 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (25 years ago) Suspended, failed to pass Prof.Resp.Exam 95-O-15802 |
| 18 April 2000 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 99-O-10665 (25 years, 2 months ago) |
| 4 April 1998 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (27 years, 2 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 95-O-15802 |
| 2 July 1996 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 95-O-15802 (28 years, 11 months ago) |
| 2 December 1981 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (43 years, 6 months ago) |
Discipline Summaries
January 26, 2001 R. SCOTT FERRIS [#101672], 45, of Hemet was disbarred Jan. 26, 2001, and ordered to comply with rule 955. In a default proceeding, the State Bar Court found that Ferris misappropriated client funds totaling $4,900, failed to promptly pay medical providers and failed to properly maintain client funds in his trust account.The misconduct stemmed from a personal injury case in which Ferris’ client agreed to a $15,000 settlement, paying $5,000 in attorney’s fees and authorizing Ferris to pay $4,900 to his medical care providers. The client was to keep the $5,100 balance as his share of the settlement.Ferris deposited the settlement check in his trust account and paid the client his share, but he allowed the balance in the account to fall below the required amount (in fact, the account had a negative balance) and did not pay the client’s doctors, who began to bill him.The client was forced to hire a new attorney, but Ferris did not respond to his demands, nor did he respond to a bar investigator.Ferris also was disciplined in 1998 for failing to perform legal services competently, communicate with a client, pay a medical lien or keep his address current with the bar, and for misappropriating client funds.In recommending Ferris’ disbarment, Judge Carlos Velarde noted that “misappropriation is one of the most serious breaches of professional trust, that is, it is theft, and in all but the most exceptional cases, it results in disbarment.â€April 4, 1998 R. SCOTT FERRIS [#101672], 42, of Hemet was suspended for two years, stayed, placed on three years of probation with an actual suspension of 120 days, and was ordered to take the MPRE within two years and comply with rule 955. The order took effect April 4, 1998. Ferris stipulated to five counts of misconduct. In a civil case, Ferris repeatedly failed to perform legal services competently or communicate with his clients. He did not respond to discovery requests and sanctions were imposed against his clients. Terminating sanctions were imposed for failure to comply with court-ordered discovery, resulting in the loss of the suit. Fees and costs were assessed in excess of $25,000. In a personal injury case, he misappropriated funds from a client, and did not pay a medical lien in another. He also did not keep his membership address current with the State Bar. In mitigation, Ferris had no record of prior discipline, and was suffering severe family problems and financial stress at the time of his misconduct. |