Arcadia, CA 91006-3775
22 February 2004 | Discipline, probation; no actual susp. 03-O-00518 (21 years, 2 months ago) |
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11 December 1986 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (38 years, 5 months ago) |
February 22, 2004 ALLEN C. VAN CAMP [#126443], 42, of Anaheim was suspended for one year, stayed, placed on three years of probation and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year. The order took effect Feb. 22, 2004. Van Camp stipulated that he failed to perform legal services competently or inform a client of significant developments in one matter.He represented Albertsons in a civil matter, but did not respond to discovery despite two lengthy extensions and did not inform the client about discovery, motions to compel, sanctions and a subsequent default.Opposing counsel in the case offered at one point to drop the motion to compel if Van Camp would provide the long-overdue discovery responses, but he did not respond. He did not appear at the hearing and was sanctioned $623.When a second motion to compel was filed, Van Camp promised to send all discovery responses to the other lawyer the next day, but did not do so. Additional sanctions of $627 were awarded against Van Camp, and later sanctions of $546 were added. He never paid the sanctions and concealed the entire matter from his law firm and from Albertsons. The court ultimately entered a default against Albertsons for $175,000. According to the stipulation, Van Camp’s failure to act on the case “effectively resulted in a dismissal of any claims or cross-actions Albertsons might have had.â€In mitigation, Van Camp has no record of discipline and he cooperated with the bar’s investigation. |