Jay Wesley Donato was admitted to the California Bar 5th June 1991, but has since been disbarred. Jay graduated from McGeorge SOL University of the Pacific.
Lawyer Information
| Name | Jay Wesley Donato |
|---|---|
| First Admitted | 5 June 1991 (32 years, 11 months ago) |
| Status | Disbarred |
| Bar Number | 153301 |
Contact
| Phone Number | 661-763-3000 |
|---|---|
| Fax Number | 661-323-0911 |
Schools
| Law School | McGeorge SOL University of the Pacific (CA) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate School | University of California Santa Barbara (CA) |
Address
| Current Address | 714 Center St Taft, CA 93268 |
|---|---|
| Map |
History
| 1 August 2003 | Disbarred (20 years, 9 months ago) Disbarment 02-N-13598 |
|---|---|
| 8 March 2003 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 1 month ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 01-O-05276 |
| 30 January 2003 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 3 months ago) Ordered inactive 02-N-13598 |
| 3 November 2002 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 5 months ago) Ordered inactive 02-N-13598 |
| 4 September 2002 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 7 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
| 26 August 2002 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 02-N-13598 (21 years, 8 months ago) |
| 8 June 2002 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 10 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 98-O-02167 |
| 6 June 2002 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 10 months ago) Ordered inactive 01-O-05276 |
| 29 March 2002 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 01-O-05276 (22 years, 1 month ago) |
| 25 May 2001 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 98-O-02167 (22 years, 11 months ago) |
| 13 April 2000 | Active (24 years ago) |
| 27 September 1999 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (24 years, 7 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
| 20 October 1997 | Active (26 years, 6 months ago) |
| 19 September 1997 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (26 years, 7 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 95-O-11746 |
| 26 April 1996 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 95-O-11746 (28 years ago) |
| 5 June 1991 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (32 years, 11 months ago) |
Discipline Summaries
August 1, 2003 JAY W. DONATO [#153301], 41, of Taft was disbarred Aug. 1, 2003, and was ordered to comply with rule 955. Donato did not comply with rule 955, as ordered in 2002 when he was suspended and placed on probation for improperly withdrawing from employment and failing to perform legal services competently, communicate with a client, return client papers or property or participate in the bar's investigation.Donato also was disciplined in 1997 and again in 2002 for similar misconduct, and for committing an act of moral turpitude as well.March 8, 2003 JAY WESLEY DONATO [#153301], 41, of Taft was suspended for two years, stayed, actually suspended for two years and until the State Bar Court grants a motion to terminate the suspension and he proves his rehabilitation, and he was ordered to take the MPRE. The order took effect March 8, 2003. In a default hearing, the bar court found that Donato committed five counts of misconduct in a probate matter. The client gave him $191 for filing fees, but four months later, when the check had not been cashed, the client sent a letter asking that Donato contact her. The letter was returned stamped "unclaimed. A second letter informed Donato he was fired and asked that he return all documents. He did not respond. He also did not respond to a letter from the client's new lawyer asking for a return of her documents. The bar court found that he failed to perform competently, communicate with a client, return client papers or cooperate with the bar's investigation, and he improperly withdrew from representation.June 8, 2002 JAY WESLEY DONATO [#153301], 40, of Taft was suspended for two years, stayed, placed on two years of probation with an actual four-month suspension and was ordered to prove his rehabilitation, take the MPRE within one year and comply with rule 955. The order took effect June 8, 2002. Donato was hired to handle a civil matter for a client in Kern County. Des-pite 44 phone calls over two months in 1997, the client got no information about the status of her case so she complained to the State Bar. Once the bar notified Donato about the complaint, he filed a complaint on behalf of the client. The bar subsequently closed the case.Nearly three years later, the client again complained to the bar. She said that after many months without any contact, she finally reached Donato, who told her she had won the case and been awarded $6,000. He subsequently issued her a check for $6,077 from his client trust account.When the client sought the documentation concerning her settlement, Donato again was out of touch, moving his office and leaving no forwarding address.A bar investigator subsequently learned the case had been dismissed after Donato failed to appear at two hearings.Donato stipulated that he failed to perform legal services competently or inform a client about significant developments in her case, and he improperly withdrew from employment and committed an act of moral turpitude.In another matter, Donato pleaded guilty to a second DUI in 2001.He also was disciplined in 1997 for failing to perform legal services competently or return client papers and for im-properly withdrawing from employment.In mitigation, his father died after a chronic illness at the time the statute of limitations expired in the civil matter. He experienced severe emotional difficulties.September 19, 1997 JAY WESLEY DONATO [#153301], 35, of Bakersfield was suspended for one year, stayed, and placed on one year of probation with an actual 30-day suspension and until he makes restitution. If the actual suspension exceeds two years, he must prove rehabilitation. He also was ordered to take the MPRE within one year and to comply with rule 955. The order took effect Sept. 19, 1997. The case was submitted as a default matter. In a contract action, Donato failed to perform legal services competently, take steps to protect his client, or respond to his client’s status requests. Hired to handle a contract dispute, Donato failed to respond to discovery requests and motions and did not appear or notify his client of several court hearings. He and his client were sanctioned three times and the case was ultimately dismissed. |