Barbara Brown-Simmons was admitted to the California Bar 24th January 1983, but has since been disbarred. Barbara graduated from University of New Mexico SOL.
Lawyer Information
| Name | Barbara Brown-Simmons |
|---|---|
| First Admitted | 24 January 1983 (41 years, 3 months ago) |
| Status | Disbarred |
| Bar Number | 107565 |
Contact
| Phone Number | 310-323-9373 |
|---|---|
| Fax Number | 310-323-5960 |
Schools
| Law School | University of New Mexico SOL (Albuquerque NM) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate School | University of New Mexico (Albuquerque NM) |
Address
| Current Address | P O Box 11148 Carson, CA 90749 |
|---|---|
| Map |
History
| 11 February 2004 | Disbarred (20 years, 3 months ago) Disbarment 03-N-00512 |
|---|---|
| 16 September 2003 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (20 years, 7 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
| 2 August 2003 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (20 years, 9 months ago) Ordered inactive 03-N-00512 |
| 17 May 2003 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (20 years, 12 months ago) Ordered inactive 03-N-00512 |
| 20 March 2003 | Active (21 years, 1 month ago) |
| 14 March 2003 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 03-N-00512 (21 years, 2 months ago) |
| 20 December 2002 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 4 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 01-N-02518 |
| 8 March 2002 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 01-O-00934 (22 years, 2 months ago) |
| 19 November 2001 | Active (22 years, 5 months ago) |
| 2 October 2001 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 01-N-02518 (22 years, 7 months ago) |
| 25 November 2000 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (23 years, 5 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 98-O-00366 |
| 24 January 1983 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (41 years, 3 months ago) |
Discipline Summaries
February 11, 2004 BARBARA BROWN-SIMMONS [#107565], 56, of Carson was disbarred Feb. 11, 2004, and was ordered to comply with rule 955. In a default proceeding, the State Bar Court found that Brown-Simmons failed to comply with rule 955 as required by a 2002 disciplinary order. She did not file with the Supreme Court an affidavit stating that she had notified her clients and other pertinent parties of her suspension from practice.The underlying discipline also was the result of failure to compy with the rule, as well as other probation violations and failing to perform legal services competently. Brown-Simmons originally was disciplined in 2000 for misconduct related to five clients. She did not refund unearned fees or adequately communicate with her clients.December 20, 2002 BARBARA BROWN-SIMMONS [#107565], 55, of Carson was suspended for one year, stayed, placed on two years of probation with a 90-day actual suspension and was ordered to comply with rule 955. The order took effect Dec. 20, 2002. Simmons stipulated to misconduct in two matters as well as in one unfiled case.She did not comply with probation conditions attached to a 2000 disciplinary order —- she did not provide proof of restitution or file an affidavit of compliance with rule 955.In mitigation, she thought she had complied with her probation conditions and that her suspension had ended. However, her proof of restitution was inadequate. Because her suspension exceeded 90 days, she then was required to comply with rule 955. She did not check her status.In the second matter, she represented a client in two cases. Both were dismissed due to Brown-Simmons' failure to appear and her failure to comply with a court order. In the unfiled matter, Brown-Simmons stipulated that she did not file one quarterly probation report on time and attended ethics school late.In mitigation, she filed her reports late. She was unable to pay the course fee for ethics school, but paid when she could.The underlying discipline included four counts of failing to communicate with clients and five counts of failing to promptly refund unearned fees.November 25, 2000 BARBARA BROWN-SIMMONS [#107565], 53, of Carson was suspended for one year, stayed, and placed on probation for three years with a 60-day actual suspension and was ordered to make restitution, take the MPRE and comply with rule 955. If the actual suspension exceeds two years, she must prove her rehabilitation. The order took effect Nov. 25, 2000. Brown-Simmons stipulated to misconduct in six matters. She failed to respond to reasonable client inquiries and to refund unearned advance attorney fees.In a divorce case, she did not file a petition for dissolution of marriage on behalf of her client and did not refund a $750 advance fee.In a child support matter, she did not file papers to seek modification of her client’s child support payments nor was she able to reinstate the client’s license to drive. She had tried unsuccessfully to negotiate an agreement with the district attorney regarding a child support payment plan and reinstatement of the client’s driver’s license. She did not refund $1,000 in advanced fees.In a harassment matter against a client’s employer, Brown-Simmons failed to file a lawsuit and did not refund $3,000 in advance fees. She failed to respond to a client’s numerous phone calls or contact him regarding this matter.Brown-Simmons did not refund $5,000 of a $10,000 advance fee for reviewing and preparing the appeal of a murder conviction of a client’s son. Although she performed some research work in the case, she neither prepared nor filed an appeal. She failed to respond to the client’s letter that terminated her and sought a refund of the advanced attorney fees and costs.In another divorce case, she did not refund $114 in advanced fees requested by the client.In mitigation, Brown-Simmons cooperated with the bar’s investigation. |