Dave Michael Barela was admitted to the California Bar 10th June 1982, but is now resigned. Dave graduated from Western State University.

Lawyer Information

NameDave Michael Barela
First Admitted10 June 1982 (43 years ago)
StatusResigned
Bar Number102601

Contact

Phone Number909-861-1111

Schools

Law SchoolWestern State University (CA)
Undergraduate SchoolCalifornia St University Long Beach (CA)

Address

Current Address556 N Diamond Bar Blvd #300
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Map

History

13 May 2004Resigned (21 years, 1 month ago)
Resignation with charges pending 04-Q-10848
5 March 2004Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 3 months ago)
Vol.inactive(tender of resign.w/charges) 04-Q-10848
1 December 2003Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 6 months ago)
Actual Suspension Delayed 01-O-05311
31 October 2003Probation with conditions 00-O-05311 (21 years, 7 months ago)
4 December 2002Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 01-O-05311 (22 years, 6 months ago)
17 August 2000Discipline, probation; no actual susp. 96-O-07052 (24 years, 10 months ago)
10 June 1982Admitted to the State Bar of California (43 years ago)

Discipline Summaries

October 31, 2003

DAVID MICHAEL BARELA [#102601], 52, of Diamond Bar was suspended for four years, stayed, placed on four years of probation with a two-year actual suspension and was ordered to make restitution, prove his rehabilitation, take the MPRE and comply with rule 955. The order took effect Oct. 31, 2003.

Barela settled a personal injury case for $65,000 and deposited the settlement check in his client trust account. He allowed the balance in the account to fall below the required amount several times.

He did not pay his client or her doctors funds to which they were entitled for more than a year. He wrote checks against insufficient funds, provided a cashier's check to his client drawn from his general account, told one doctor the case was still pending long after it settled, and did not pay one doctor at all.

Barela was on disciplinary probation at the time, and he submitted quarterly probation reports stating that he was in full compliance with the State Bar Act and the Rules of Professional Conduct. In fact, he had failed to properly maintain or pay out client funds and had misappropriated client funds. He also did not produce a required certificate from a certified public accountant.

The discipline that led to Barela's probation also involved mishandling his client trust account and failing to communicate with a client.

In mitigation, he cooperated with the bar's investigation and, after paying his client, he received reduced attorney fees.

August 17, 2000

DAVE MICHAEL BARELA [#102601], 48, of Diamond Bar was suspended for 60 days, stayed, placed on two years of probation and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year. The order took effect Aug. 17, 2000.

Barela stipulated that in a personal injury matter, he failed to maintain settlement funds in a client trust account, promptly pay a medical provider, respond to status inquiries from his client or keep the client informed of developments in his case.

Barela assigned the file in the case to a paralegal who did not pay a discounted medical lien. Barela was unaware the payment had not been made and paid the full amount himself. He also was unaware of the client’s efforts to contact him.

In mitigation, he has no record of discipline, he acted in good faith and his client was not harmed.