Van Nuys, CA 91406
13 June 2002 | Resigned (23 years ago) Resignation with charges pending 02-Q-11062 |
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1 March 2002 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (23 years, 3 months ago) Vol.inactive(tender of resign.w/charges) 02-Q-11062 |
22 July 1999 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (25 years, 11 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 95-O-15177 |
30 April 1998 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 96-O-07838 (27 years, 1 month ago) |
3 March 1998 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 96-O-02395 (27 years, 3 months ago) |
11 December 1997 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 95-O-15177 (27 years, 6 months ago) |
10 December 1985 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (39 years, 6 months ago) |
July 22, 1999 GELLY YUKON VALERO [#120406], 41, of Van Nuys was suspended for four years, stayed, placed on five years of probation with an actual 22-month suspension, and was ordered to take the MPRE and comply with rule 955. If the actual suspension exceeds two years, he must prove his rehabilitation. He also was ordered to pay a small claims judgment if his appeal is unsuccessful. The order took effect July 22, 1999. Valero stipulated to misconduct in 16 consolidated cases, including eight counts of failure to maintain complete records of client funds, five counts of failure to pay out client funds, and one count each of failing to release client files, perform legal services competently or keep clients informed about developments in their case.Valero handled personal injury matters for non-English speaking clients, many of whom had no medical insurance and relied on receiving medical services on a lien basis.As his practice grew more demanding, he spent less time on it because of personal problems, including depression and divorce. In many cases, the demands by the lienholders were disproportionately high in relation to the settlement amounts. Valero's inattention to his practice caused the lienholders to resist negotiating the lien claims because of long delays in receiving payment.Valero offered extensive mitigation. He worked seven days a week on his expanding practice, but began to encounter struggles with medical providers who refused to reduce their bills. He reduced his staff and caseload, but began to suffer depression, for which he received treatment.His son suffered medical problems and his wife was mentally unstable, forcing Valero to care for the couple's three children.His office was damaged during the Northridge earthquake and later burglarized three times, including the theft of computers containing his accounting information. In addition, his bookkeeper, who had paid herself unearned wages, quit and took accounting files with her.He experienced disastrous financial problems, including foreclosure and $75,000 in credit card bills run up by his wife. While moving to a new office, some client files were destroyed inadvertently and he was unable to verify if doctors were paid. |