Roy Earnest Peterson was admitted to the California Bar 14th June 1991, but has since been disbarred. Roy graduated from Western State University COL.

Lawyer Information

NameRoy Earnest Peterson
First Admitted14 June 1991 (33 years, 11 months ago)
StatusDisbarred
Bar Number153455

Contact

Current Email[email protected]
Phone Number626-616-1787

Schools

Law SchoolWestern State University COL (Fullerton CA)
Undergraduate SchoolBiola University (La Mirada CA)

Address

Current AddressLaw Office of Roy E Peterson, PO Box 5706
El Monte, CA 91734
Map

History

19 December 2012Disbarred (12 years, 4 months ago)
Disbarment 12-N-11602
10 August 2012Not eligible to practice law in CA (12 years, 8 months ago)
Ordered inactive 12-N-11602
29 July 2012Not eligible to practice law in CA (12 years, 9 months ago)
Ordered inactive 12-N-11602
13 April 2012Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 12-N-11602 (13 years ago)
30 December 2011Not eligible to practice law in CA (13 years, 4 months ago)
Discipline w/actual suspension 10-N-07164
1 July 2011Not eligible to practice law in CA (13 years, 10 months ago)
Suspended, failed to pay fees
1 July 2011Not eligible to practice law in CA (13 years, 10 months ago)
Admin Inactive/MCLE noncompliance
16 May 2010Not eligible to practice law in CA (14 years, 11 months ago)
Discipline w/actual suspension 08-O-10639
11 April 2004Active (21 years ago)
11 February 2004Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 2 months ago)
Discipline w/actual suspension 00-O-15212
26 August 2002Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 00-O-15212 (22 years, 8 months ago)
24 December 2000Public reproval with/duties 99-O-10500 (24 years, 4 months ago)
29 June 2000Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 99-O-10500 (24 years, 10 months ago)
14 June 1991Admitted to the State Bar of California (33 years, 11 months ago)

Discipline Summaries

December 19, 2012

ROY EARNEST PETERSON [#153455], 68, of El Monte was disbarred Dec. 19, 2012, and was ordered to comply with rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court.

Peterson failed to comply with a 2011 disciplinary order by not filing with the State Bar Court an affidavit stating that he notified his clients, opposing counsel and other interested parties of his suspension. Failure to comply with rule 9.20 is grounds for disbarment. He also did not comply with other probation conditions, committed acts of moral turpitude and failed to avoid harm to his client’s interests.

Peterson stipulated that he also violated the terms of a 2010 disciplinary probation by filing six quarterly probation reports late and not filing two others, and by failing to provide proof of attendance at ethics school.

Peterson also was disciplined in 2000 and 2004 for misconduct that included failures to perform legal services competently, account for client funds, release a client file and communicate with clients.

December 30, 2011

ROY EARNEST PETERSON [#153455], 63, of El Monte was suspended for two years, stayed, placed on five years of probation with a one-year actual suspension and he was ordered to comply with rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court. The order took effect Dec. 30, 2011.

Peterson stipulated to four counts of misconduct in four cases. He wrote checks against insufficient funds in two matters, committing acts of moral turpitude, and he did not file a rule 9.20 compliance declaration, as ordered in a 2010 discipline. He filed a document that incorrectly claimed he had both earned and refunded fees.

In the fourth matter, Peterson represented a client in a dissolution matter, a slip and fall civil suit, and a workers’ compensation claim. However, he failed to respond to discovery or a terminating sanction motion, and did not give due notice to his client regarding a settlement offer. By his actions, he failed to take steps to avoid prejudice to his client.

In addition to the public reproval, Peterson was disciplined in 2000 for failing to perform legal services competently, return client files or promptly pay out client funds. In mitigation, he cooperated with the bar’s investigation.

May 16, 2010

ROY EARNEST PETERSON [#153455], 65, of El Monte was suspended for two years, stayed, placed on five years of probation, and was actually suspended for 120 days and until he makes restitution to nine clients. If the actual suspension exceeds two years, he must prove his rehabilitation. He also was ordered to take the MPRE and to comply with rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court. The order took effect May 16, 2010.

Peterson stipulated to misconduct in two matters. In the first, he failed to finalize a divorce for his client after he filed a dissolution petition. Five years after hiring him, the client could not find Peterson, whose phone was disconnected.

In a second matter, he did not comply with probation conditions attached to a 2004 disciplinary order. He did not file 19 quarterly probation reports on time, make quarterly restitution payments or file proof of payments with the probation department. Together, he stipulated to 47 violations of probation requirements.

The underlying discipline was imposed for misconduct in 13 consolidated cases, each the result of his failure to perform legal services competently. He also did not respond to clients’ reasonable status inquiries twice and agreed to refund $10,000 to nine clients.

In mitigation, Peterson had serious health problems.

February 11, 2004

ROY EARNEST PETERSON [#153455], 59, of Monrovia was suspended for one year, stayed, placed on five years of probation with a 60-day actual suspension and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year. The order took effect Feb. 11, 2004.

Peterson stipulated to misconduct in 13 consolidated cases, each as a result of his failure to perform legal services competently. He also did not respond to clients’ reasonable status inquiries twice.

He agreed to refund $10,000 to nine clients.

Peterson was publicly reproved in 2000 for failing to perform, account for client funds or release client files.

In mitigation, he was being treated for heart disease and viral pneumonia that resulted in hospitalization and incapacity to conduct day-to-day law office work.