Montclair, CA 91763
13 June 2010 | Disbarred (14 years, 10 months ago) Disbarment 09-N-13811 |
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31 December 2009 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (15 years, 4 months ago) Ordered inactive 09-N-13811 |
8 October 2009 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (15 years, 6 months ago) Ordered inactive 09-N-13811 |
12 June 2008 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (16 years, 10 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 06-O-15104 |
14 September 2007 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (17 years, 7 months ago) Ordered inactive 06-O-15104 |
17 May 2007 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 06-O-15104 (17 years, 11 months ago) |
27 February 2007 | Active (18 years, 2 months ago) |
18 September 2006 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (18 years, 7 months ago) Admin Inactive/MCLE noncompliance |
18 December 1989 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (35 years, 4 months ago) |
June 13, 2010 DEBRA LOUISE KASTELIC [#144682], 49, of Montclair, was disbarred June 13, 2010, and was ordered to comply with Rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court. The State Bar Court found that Kastelic failed to comply earlier with rule 9.20, as required by a 2008 disciplinary order. She did not submit to the bar court an affidavit stating that she notified her clients, opposing counsel and relevant courts of her suspension. Failure to comply with rule 9.20 is grounds for disbarment. Kastelic also did not respond to the initial discipline charges.In the underlying matter, she was suspended in 2008 for failing to perform services competently in an estate planning matter, return unearned fees and cooperate with the bar’s investigation and she improperly withdrew from employment.June 12, 2008 DEBRA L. KASTELIC [#144682], 46, of Montclair was suspended for one year, stayed, actually suspended for 75 days and until she makes restitution and the State Bar Court grants a motion to terminate the suspension, and she was ordered to take the MPRE. If the actual suspension exceeds 90 days, she must comply with rule 9.20; if it exceeds two years, she must prove her rehabilitation. The order took effect June 12, 2008. In a default proceeding, the bar court found that Kastelic committed four acts of misconduct in preparing an estate plan, including a living trust and powers of attorney, for a couple. After the wife died, the husband and his son asked Kastelic to modify the estate plan. Time was of the essence because the husband was in poor health. Over five months, the son called Kastelic at least 15 times without success. Once she told him she had mailed documents that had been returned as undeliverable, although the son had not moved. The son finally wrote to Kastelic asking that she either do the work or refund his fee so he could hire a new lawyer. The letter was returned as undeliverable.The bar court found that Kastelic failed to perform legal services competently, refund unearned fees or cooperate with the bar’s investigation, and she improperly withdrew from representation. |