Judith A Centers was admitted to the California Bar 5th December 1990, but has since been disbarred. Judith graduated from LaSalle University.
Lawyer Information
| Name | Judith A Centers |
|---|---|
| First Admitted | 5 December 1990 (33 years, 4 months ago) |
| Status | Disbarred |
| Bar Number | 150247 |
Contact
| Current Email | [email protected] |
|---|---|
| Phone Number | 562-943-1953 |
Schools
| Law School | LaSalle University (St Ann MO) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate School | Brigham Young University (Provo UT) |
Address
| Current Address | Law Ofc Judith A Centers, PO Box 1926 La Mirada, CA 90637-1926 |
|---|---|
| Map |
History
| 18 June 2011 | Disbarred (12 years, 10 months ago) Disbarment 09-N-11262 |
|---|---|
| 23 January 2011 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (13 years, 3 months ago) Ordered inactive 09-N-11626 |
| 1 September 2010 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (13 years, 7 months ago) Admin Inactive/MCLE noncompliance |
| 16 March 2009 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (15 years, 1 month ago) Suspended, failed to pass Prof.Resp.Exam 06-O-13768 |
| 18 January 2009 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (15 years, 3 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 08-PM-12377 |
| 26 September 2008 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (15 years, 7 months ago) Ordered inactive 08-PM-12377 |
| 1 July 2008 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (15 years, 10 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
| 5 March 2008 | Active (16 years, 1 month ago) |
| 5 January 2008 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (16 years, 3 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 06-O-13768 |
| 2 March 2007 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 06-O-13768 (17 years, 1 month ago) |
| 5 December 1990 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (33 years, 4 months ago) |
Discipline Summaries
June 18, 2011 JUDITH A. CENTERS [#150247], 58, of La Mirada was disbarred June 18, 2011, and was ordered to comply with rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court. Centers stipulated that she did not comply with a 2009 rule 9.20 requirements by failing to file with the State Bar Court a declaration that she had notified her clients, opposing counsel and other interested parties of her suspension from practice. Failure to comply with the rule is grounds for disbarment.The order was included in a probation revocation imposed when Centers did not comply with probation conditions attached to a 2008 suspension. That discipline was imposed after Centers stipulated to eight counts of misconduct in two matters. In one matter, she failed to perform legal services competently, respond to her client’s reasonable status inquiries or keep her client informed of developments in her case. In the second matter, she also stipulated that she ignored her client’s request for her file and improperly appeared as the attorney for a party who had fired her.In mitigation, she cooperated with the bar by stipulating to misconduct.January 18, 2009 JUDITH A. CENTERS [#150247], 56, of La Mirada Probation was revoked, the previous stay of suspension was lifted and she was suspended for one year and until she makes restitution to a client. She was ordered to comply with rule 9.20. If the suspension exceeds two years, she must prove her rehabilitation. Credit will be given for a period of involuntary inactive enrollment that began Sept. 26, 2008. The order took effect Jan. 18, 2009. Centers did not comply with probation conditions attached to a 2008 suspension. She did not contact the State Bar probation office, file her first quarterly report or submit proof of monthly restitution payments.The underlying discipline was the result of seven acts of misconduct in two matters: Centers failed to perform legal services with competence, respond promptly to reasonable status inquiries, keep her client reasonably informed of significant developments or promptly release the client’s file, and she appeared without authority.She was ordered to make restitution totaling $45,133.13 plus 10 percent interest.January 5, 2008 JUDITH A. CENTERS [#150247], 55, of La Mirada was suspended for one year, stayed, placed on two years of probation with an actual 60-day suspension and she was ordered to take the MPRE within one year. The order took effect Jan. 5, 2008. Centers stipulated to eight counts of misconduct in two matters.She filed a complaint against two defendants alleging three causes of action. Without her client’s consent, she then requested a dismissal of one of the counts against one defendant. She did not respond to discovery requests by the other defendant, who won two orders for sanctions, and although she sought a reconsideration by the court, it was denied and the case was dismissed.Centers never informed her client of any developments in the case, including a judgment of sanctions and statutory costs totaling more than $45,000. She did not apply for relief from the judgment on time, but later, without her client’s knowledge, she filed a motion to set aside the dismissal.The client learned an abstract of judgment had been filed when she received advertisements from other lawyers and credit agencies. The other party’s lawyer contacted the client directly, demanding payment of the judgment. Despite Centers’ assurances that she would work on the judgment, she did not do so and stopped communicating with her client. The client still has a judgment of $45,133 pending against Centers.The same client filed another lawsuit against different defendants around the same time. Again, Centers did not provide substantive updates to her client despite weekly e-mails sent over the course of more than two years. She did not file a timely proof of service, failed to appear at an order to show cause hearing, did not appear for trial and, when the case was dismissed, did not file a motion to set aside the dismissal on time.Centers did not tell her client about those developments or notify her that sanctions were ordered. After she was fired, she filed a motion to set aside dismissal without her client’s authorization.Centers stipulated in both matters that she failed to perform legal services competently, respond to her client’s reasonable status inquiries or keep her client informed of developments in her case. In the second matter, she also stipulated that she ignored her client’s request for her file and improperly appeared as the attorney for a party who had fired her.In mitigation, Centers has no prior discipline record and she cooperated with the bar’s investigation. |