La Crescenta, CA 91214-3516
2 July 2024 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (11 months, 2 weeks ago) Admin Inactive/MCLE noncompliance |
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24 December 2004 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (20 years, 6 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 04-O-10328 |
16 September 2004 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (20 years, 9 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
2 February 2004 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 04-O-10328 (21 years, 4 months ago) |
17 August 2003 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 10 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 02-PM-13282 |
3 July 1999 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (25 years, 11 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 94-O-17096 |
8 December 1997 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 94-O-17096 (27 years, 6 months ago) |
23 October 1987 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (37 years, 8 months ago) |
December 24, 2004 MARK MORRIS [#129656], 51, of Beverly Hills was suspended for one year, stayed, and placed on one year of probation. The order took effect Dec. 24, 2004. In an effort to modify the terms of his probation, Morris submitted information to the State Bar that was incorrect. He stipulated that he acted with “a reckless disregard of the accuracy of the information.†His actions did not involve moral turpitude and, in mitigation, no clients were harmed.Morris was disciplined in 1999 and 2003 for misconduct that included failing to perform legal services competently, promptly pay out client funds or return client phone calls and he committed 15 acts of moral turpitude. He has not been entitled to practice since 1999.August 17, 2003 MARK MORRIS [#129656], 50, of Beverly Hills The probation of was revoked, the previous stay of suspension was lifted and he was suspended for four years, stayed, placed on five years of probation with an actual suspension of 12 months consecutive to 30 months ordered previously, and was ordered to make restitution and prove his rehabilitation. The order took effect Aug. 17, 2003. As part of a probation imposed in 1999, Morris is required to uphold both federal and state laws. However, he did not file his 2000 state or federal tax returns until March 2002, nearly one year late. The underlying discipline was the result of Morris' stipulation to 18 counts of misconduct, most involving his failure to maintain client funds in trust.July 3, 1999 MARK MORRIS [#129656], 46, of Beverly Hills was suspended for four years, stayed, placed on five years of probation with a 30-month actual suspension, and was ordered to make restitution, prove his rehabilitation, take the MPRE and comply with rule 955. The order took effect July 3, 1999. Morris stipulated to misconduct in 18 consolidated cases.The majority involved his failure to maintain client funds in trust (16 counts), allowing the balance in his client trust account to fall below the required amount (13 counts), and failure to pay medical providers (11 counts). Some of his conduct, such as writing bad checks and letting his trust account balance fall, constituted acts of moral turpitude.He also failed to communicate with clients, perform legal services competently, or return client files, and he withdrew from representation without protecting his clients' interests.In mitigation, Morris cooperated with the bar's investigation, took steps to rectify the financial harm he caused, and voluntarily closed his law office. He also was an alcoholic and drug addict, whose problems were exacerbated by the death of his brother from a heroin overdose. He has been sober since 1996. |