William Alan Sobel was first admitted to the California Bar 6th August 1984, but is now no longer eligible to practice. William graduated from Golden West University.

Lawyer Information

NameWilliam Alan Sobel
First Admitted6 August 1984 (39 years, 8 months ago)
StatusNot Eligible to Practice
Bar Number114147

Contact

Phone Number818-876-9193
Fax Number818-876-9194

Schools

Law SchoolGolden West University (CA)
Undergraduate SchoolUniversity of Southern Calif (Los Angeles CA)

Address

Current AddressPO Box 5435
Sherman Oaks, CA 91413
Map

History

1 September 2017Not eligible to practice law in CA (6 years, 7 months ago)
Admin Inactive/MCLE noncompliance
1 July 2011Not eligible to practice law in CA (12 years, 9 months ago)
Suspended, failed to pay fees
18 June 2011Not eligible to practice law in CA (12 years, 9 months ago)
Discipline w/actual suspension 07-O-14205
30 December 2007Discipline, probation; no actual susp. 05-O-02753 (16 years, 3 months ago)
25 September 2004Discipline, probation; no actual susp. 02-O-12365 (19 years, 6 months ago)
11 June 1997Active (26 years, 9 months ago)
13 March 1997Not eligible to practice law in CA (27 years ago)
Discipline w/actual suspension 94-O-14267
30 November 1995Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 94-O-14267 (28 years, 4 months ago)
6 August 1984Admitted to the State Bar of California (39 years, 8 months ago)

Discipline Summaries

June 18, 2011

WILLIAM ALAN SOBEL [#114147], 67, of Calabasas was suspended for three years, stayed, placed on four years of probation with an actual one-year suspension and until he proves his rehabilitation, and he was ordered to take the MPRE and comply with rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court. The order took effect June 18, 2011.

Sobel stipulated to four acts of misconduct in three matters.

He substituted in to a personal injury matter in which his client was previously represented by another lawyer, who had a lien on any settlement. The case settled for $3,900, but Sobel did not notify the other lawyer or obtain his endorsement on the settlement check. After unsuccessfully attempting to get his share of the settlement, the other lawyer complained to the State Bar. Sobel stipulated that he failed to perform legal services competently.

In another personal injury case that he settled, Sobel signed his client’s name to two documents, indicating the client actually had signed herself and in one case, the signature was witnessed. Sobel stipulated that his actions involved moral turpitude.

He misappropriated settlement funds in another personal injury case. It was dismissed by the court for failure to prosecute, but Sobel got it reinstated and settled the matter for $4,000. His client did not sign two disbursement proposals before he died and it took Sobel almost two years to send any funds to the client’s widow. In the interim, he was obligated to maintain a certain balance in his trust account, but he allowed the balance to dip below that amount. At one point, the balance was negative $2,180. Sobel stipulated that he failed to properly maintain his client trust account, and he misappropriated client funds, committing an act of moral turpitude.

Sobel was disciplined in 1997, 2004 and 2007. In mitigation, he cooperated with the bar’s investigation.

December 30, 2007

WILLIAM ALAN SOBEL [#114147], 63, of Calabasas was suspended for 18 months, stayed, placed on two years of probation and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year. The order took effect Dec. 30, 2007.

Sobel stipulated that he failed to report a court-ordered sanction of $1,000 to the State Bar and he twice failed to perform legal services competently.

In a personal injury matter, he distributed the $9,000 settlement without adequately ascertaining what each lienholder was owed. His client was subject to threat of collection and credit damage. It took Sobel more than five years to resolve the lien payment.

In another matter that settled, the court dismissed the action for lack of prosecution and sanctioned Sobel when he did not show up for an order to show cause hearing. He did not report the sanction to the bar.

Neither Sobel nor the opposing attorney appeared at a status conference in another personal injury case. Sobel also did not appear at a subsequent order to show cause hearing and the case was dismissed. Although he prepared and served on opposing counsel a motion to set aside the dismissal, it was not filed because Sobel’s client had hired a new lawyer, who refiled the case.

Sobel has been disciplined twice: in 2004 for failing to communicate significant developments to clients and in 1997 for failing to supervise an employee who solicited a client or inform a client of significant developments and for seeking to settle a claim with a client without giving him an opportunity to seek independent legal advice.

In mitigation, Sobel, who had a volume practice, has reduced the size of his caseload from 1,000 to 160. He has an improved calendar system and has made other changes to improve his office management.

September 25, 2004

WILLIAM ALAN SOBEL [#114147], 60, of Calabasas was suspended for six months, stayed, placed on one year of probation and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year. The order took effect Sept. 25, 2004.

Sobel stipulated to misconduct in five consolidated cases. Since 2000, he has operated a high volume personal injury practice and is paid by contingency fee. For about 18 months, he represented clients whose claims had difficult liability issues as well as limited potential for recovery. His practice reduced the time needed to adequately communicate with his clients and when he informed them of settlement results, he did not make certain they understood how much would go toward attorney fees, medical liens and costs.

The matters in question settled for between $500 and $3,240, and the clients received very little money — $25 in one case.

Sobel stipulated that he failed to communicate significant developments to clients.

He also was disciplined in 1997 for misconduct in two personal injury matters. In mitigation, he acted in good faith and he agreed to represent the clients knowing their claims would likely lead to limited recovery.

March 13, 1997

WILLIAM Alan SOBEL [#114147], 52, of Calabasas was suspended for one year, stayed, placed on probation for one year with an actual 90-day suspension, and was ordered to take the MPRE within a year and comply with rule 955. The order took effect March 13, 1997.

Sobel stipulated to misconduct in two personal injury matters.

In the first, an employee of his firm witnessed an automobile accident and pursued both parties to employ the firm to sue the other. The employee also prom-ised one party that he would serve as a witness and provide favorable testimony.

Sobel filed a lawsuit for one of the parties in the accident, but was unaware of his employee's solicitation.

In a second case, Sobel represented a bicyclist who was allegedly hit by a city bus, but he failed to file a claim with the city on time. After the deadline passed, Sobel offered his client $1,500 in settlement, and required the client to sign a document discharging Sobel from further liability. Sobel did not inform his client he could seek independent counsel or give him the time to do so.

Sobel has practiced without discipline since his 1984 admission to the bar.