William Stephen DeMarini was admitted to the California Bar 5th December 1990, but has since been disbarred. William graduated from Lincoln Law School.

Lawyer Information

NameWilliam Stephen DeMarini
First Admitted5 December 1990 (33 years, 4 months ago)
StatusDisbarred
Bar Number149459

Contact

Phone Number916-556-1999

Schools

Law SchoolLincoln Law School (Sacramento CA)
Undergraduate SchoolOregon St University (Corvallis OR)

Address

Current Address331 J St #200
Sacramento, CA 95814
Map

History

5 October 2002Disbarred (21 years, 6 months ago)
Disbarment 01-N-04837
5 April 2002Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 12 months ago)
Ordered inactive 01-N-04837
17 February 2002Not eligible to practice law in CA (22 years, 1 month ago)
Ordered inactive 01-N-04837
7 February 2002Not eligible to practice law in CA (22 years, 1 month ago)
Discipline w/actual suspension 00-O-13582
3 January 2002Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 01-N-04837 (22 years, 3 months ago)
1 September 2001Not eligible to practice law in CA (22 years, 7 months ago)
Suspended, failed to pay fees
17 August 2001Not eligible to practice law in CA (22 years, 7 months ago)
Discipline w/actual suspension 99-O-13300
19 March 2001Not eligible to practice law in CA (23 years ago)
Ordered inactive 00-O-13582
1 February 2001Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 00-O-13582 (23 years, 2 months ago)
30 October 2000Not eligible to practice law in CA (23 years, 5 months ago)
Ordered inactive 99-O-13300
25 August 2000Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 99-O-13113 (23 years, 7 months ago)
5 December 1990Admitted to the State Bar of California (33 years, 4 months ago)

Discipline Summaries

October 5, 2002

WILLIAM STEPHEN DE MARINI [#149459], 50, of Sacramento was disbarred Oct. 5, 2002, and ordered to comply with rule 955.

In a default proceeding, the State Bar Court found that De Marini failed to comply with rule 955, as ordered in 2001. His misconduct in that matter involved client abandonment, failure to communicate, return a client file, or maintain a current address with the bar, as well as acts of dishonesty and commingling more than $35,000 in his client trust account.

He also was disciplined in January 2002 for misconduct in one client matter and failing to cooperate with the bar's investigation.

February 7, 2002

WILLIAM S. De MARINI [149459], 50, of Sacramento was suspended for two years, stayed, and actually suspended for three years and until he makes restitution to a former client, demonstrates his rehabilitation and complies with conditions of probation, if any, imposed by the State Bar Court as a condition for termination of his actual suspension. He also was ordered to take the MPRE and comply with the requirements of rule 955. The order took effect Feb. 7, 2002.

In a default proceeding, the State Bar Court found that De Marini was retained in a marital dissolution matter, filed the petition, served his client's spouse, and received, on behalf of his client, all documents signed by the client's spouse including an agreement between the spouses giving sole custody to De Marini's client.

De Marini then stopped communicating with his client, who hired a new lawyer and tried to inquire about the status of the documents and agreement. De Marini never contacted the client or his attorney, who later discovered that De Marini's phone was disconnected and his office was shut down.

The bar court found that De Marini failed to competently perform the services for which he was employed, communicate with his client regarding the status of his case and cooperate in the disciplinary investigation. The court also found that he withdrew from employment without taking measures to protect his client's interests, and failed to provide accountings, refund unearned fees or release client files despite the client's repeated requests. Finally, the court found that De Marini failed to cooperate with the bar's investigation or maintain current official membership records with the State Bar.

August 17, 2001

WILLIAM S. DE MARINI [#149459], 49, of Sacramento was suspended for two years, stayed, and actually suspended for two years and until the State Bar Court grants a motion to terminate and he proves his rehabilitation. He also was ordered to take the MPRE and comply with rule 955. The order took effect Aug. 17, 2001.

In a default proceeding involving four consolidated cases, the bar court found De Marini failed to perform legal services competently, committed acts of dishonesty, commingled funds and failed to communicate, return client files or maintain current address records with the bar.

In a 1999 paternity, custody and child-support matter, a client paid De Marini $1,500 in advance fees. He then failed to respond to opposing counsel, and despite 45 voice messages left by the client and several visits to his office over a four-month period, he did not communicate with her. He did not respond to a request to return her file and performed no more work.

Clients De Marini represented in October 1997 and April 1998 marital dissolution matters experienced similar problems. In one case, he signed the client’s name to a document filed in the court.

In the final case, De Marini commingled more than $35,000 in his client trust account, making deposits and issuing checks for personal and business expenses.

Aggravating factors included multiple acts of wrongdoing, dishonesty, overreaching, causing harm to clients, indifference and failure to participate in the disciplinary matter.

In mitigation, De Marini practiced for nine years without discipline.