Beverly Hills, CA 90211-3638
13 December 2001 | Discipline, probation; no actual susp. 98-O-00171 (22 years, 4 months ago) |
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30 June 2000 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 98-O-00171 (23 years, 10 months ago) |
22 May 1987 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (36 years, 11 months ago) |
December 13, 2001 STEPHEN M. LOSH [#127508], 63, of Beverly Hills was suspended for six months, stayed, placed on two years of probation and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year. The order took effect Dec. 13, 2001. Losh worked in the law offices of Joseph Gellman (see below) and was responsible for handling a client’s personal injury case, which he settled. The client was to receive $2,000 after fees and costs were deducted. Gellman deposited the settlement check into the firm’s client trust account and told Losh he had taken care of the funds. Losh assumed the client had been paid.The balance in the trust account fell to $100.The client worked in the same building where the law firm was located, ran into Losh one day, and inquired about his money. Losh told him to speak to Gellman, with whom he was parting ways. The client saw Losh on Christmas Eve, when Losh assured him his money was forthcoming.In addition to oral requests, the client made two written requests six months apart. He was not paid for three years, less than three weeks before the matter was scheduled to go to trial. Losh and Gellman made equal contributions to the payment.In mitigation, Losh has no record of discipline since joining the bar in 1987 or prior to that, when he was a member of the Michigan bar for more than 20 years. He ultimately made restitution to the client. |