Santa Ana, CA 92701-3715
15 February 2022 | Active (3 years, 4 months ago) |
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17 November 2021 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (3 years, 7 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 20-O-30861 |
14 December 2020 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 20-O-30861 (4 years, 6 months ago) |
9 December 2009 | Active (15 years, 6 months ago) |
25 September 2009 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (15 years, 8 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 06-O-10591 |
15 May 2002 | Active (23 years, 1 month ago) |
15 March 2002 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (23 years, 3 months ago) Actual Suspension Delayed 99-O-13355 |
10 January 2002 | Probation with conditions 99-O-13355 (23 years, 5 months ago) |
2 March 2001 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 99-O-13355 (24 years, 3 months ago) |
10 June 1982 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (43 years ago) |
September 25, 2009 KHUSHWANT SINGH [#102890], 61, of Santa Ana was suspended for two years, stayed, placed on two years of probation with a 75-day actual suspension and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year. The order took effect Sept. 25, 2009. Singh stipulated to three counts of misconduct: he filed a malpractice lawsuit without probable cause, committed an act of moral turpitude by filing and pursuing the case, and he failed to perform legal services competently.His paralegal filed a complaint about her doctor with the Medical Board of California, which determined the doctor’s treatment was appropriate. Singh filed a malpractice lawsuit for his paralegal against the doctor that also alleged intentional infliction of emotional distress. Prior to filing the lawsuit, however, Singh did not review the doctor’s medical records regarding the paralegal, obtain an expert opinion on the applicable standard of care and did not provide the required 90-day notice to the doctor.Subsequently, he did not respond to the doctor’s lawyers, provide discovery responses, oppose various motions by the other side or appear for a hearing.The doctor filed a malicious prosecution complaint against Singh and his paralegal. Singh responded with arguments that his client decided to dismiss the lawsuit due to her poor health and medical condition, not because the case lacked merit, and that the dismissal of the lawsuit did not constitute a favorable termination of the case. The court rejected his demurrer and a jury returned a verdict awarding $10,477 as damages for economic loss, $31,321 as damages for non-economic loss and $10,000 as punitive damages. In addition, the court entered judgment against Singh for $51,798 plus costs.Singh’s motion for a new trial was denied and the Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment.Singh was disciplined in 2002 for failing to promptly pay out client funds.In mitigation, he was going through a divorce at the time, had to sell his house and had open heart surgery.January 10, 2002 KHUSHWANT SINGH [102890], 53, of Orange was suspended for one year, stayed, placed on two years of probation with an actual two-month suspension and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year. The order took effect Jan. 10, 2002. The executor of an estate, Singh was ordered by the court to retain $20,000 for closing expenses and potential tax liabilities and to provide an accounting to the estate's beneficiary. He allowed the balance in his trust account to fall below the required amount at least 25 times. He also did not return his client's phone calls, did not make appropriate payments to the IRS, did not disburse funds to his client and did not cooperate with a State Bar investigation. In mitigation, Singh has no prior record of discipline, his client was not harmed and he demonstrated remorse. |