Laguna Beach, CA 92652
16 March 2003 | Resigned (21 years, 1 month ago) Resignation with charges pending 03-Q-00140 |
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14 January 2003 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 3 months ago) Vol.inactive(tender of resign.w/charges) 03-Q-00140 |
5 October 2002 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 6 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 99-O-12962 |
28 December 2001 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 00-O-14766 (22 years, 3 months ago) |
9 August 2001 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 99-O-12962 (22 years, 8 months ago) |
9 September 1992 | Active (31 years, 7 months ago) |
10 August 1992 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (31 years, 8 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
13 December 1989 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (34 years, 4 months ago) |
October 5, 2002 JON H. CHANNELS [#145294], 48, of Los Angeles was suspended for three years, stayed, placed on five years of probation with an actual two-year suspension and was ordered to prove his rehabilitation, make restitution, take the MPRE and comply with rule 955. The order took effect Oct. 5, 2002. Channels stipulated to misconduct in 14 matters. Most of the matters involved immigration questions and in each case, he failed to perform legal services competently or refund unearned fees.He also stipulated to two counts of improperly withdrawing from employment, two counts of failure to return client property, 10 counts of failing to communicate with clients, three counts of failing to cooperate with the bar's investigation and one count each of failing to maintain respect due the court, render an appropriate accounting to a client and promptly pay out client funds.In one matter, for example, Channels was employed and paid $2,000 to represent a client who was being detained by the INS in Arizona and was facing deportation due to a prior conviction for drug possession. Channels did not appear at five hearings, either telephonically or in person. After the fifth failure to appear, he told his client he needed another $500 and to find a local lawyer. The client could only pay $200.Channels did not file a motion to be relieved as counsel and did not appear at another hearing. The client was ordered deported, but asserted his appellate rights. He eventually was deported.After the deportation, Channels filed a notice of appeal with two other motions, both purportedly signed by his client. The client had not given his consent to the motions. Channels says his secretary signed the documents without his knowledge.Another client who paid Channels $500 to help him obtain a residency card obtained the card on his own. Theclient's wife also hired Channels, for $700, to represent her in an immigration matter, but he failed to appear at two hearings. He arranged for another attorney to appear, and the client paid the second attorney $300. Channels did not consult with his client before sending the other attorney to appear for her.In mitigation, Channels' longtime secretary, who was responsible for maintaining communication with clients, died. He also had family problems and has shut down his office and stopped practicing law. |