Sean Curtis Hickey was admitted to the California Bar 8th June 1992, but has since been disbarred. Sean graduated from Santa Clara University SOL.
Lawyer Information
| Name | Sean Curtis Hickey |
|---|---|
| First Admitted | 8 June 1992 (33 years ago) |
| Status | Disbarred |
| Bar Number | 159116 |
Contact
| Current Email | [email protected] |
|---|---|
| Phone Number | 650-218-8838 |
| Fax Number | 650-548-0325 |
Schools
| Law School | Santa Clara University SOL (Santa Clara CA) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate School | San Jose State University (San Jose CA) |
Address
| Current Address | Law Ofc Sean C Hickey, 38871 Viento Ct Fremont, CA 94536 |
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| Map |
History
| 6 February 2014 | Disbarred (11 years, 4 months ago) Disbarment 12-O-13891 |
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| 19 August 2013 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (11 years, 10 months ago) Ordered inactive 12-O-13891 |
| 19 December 2012 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (12 years, 6 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 11-O-15981 |
| 16 November 2012 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (12 years, 7 months ago) Ordered inactive 12-O-13891 |
| 31 August 2012 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 12-O-13891 (12 years, 9 months ago) |
| 17 January 2012 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (13 years, 5 months ago) Suspended, failed to pass Prof.Resp.Exam 08-O-13173 |
| 18 November 2011 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (13 years, 7 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 10-O-04315 |
| 19 September 2011 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 11-O-15981 (13 years, 9 months ago) |
| 28 December 2010 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 10-O-04315 (14 years, 5 months ago) |
| 9 December 2010 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (14 years, 6 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 08-O-13173 |
| 13 May 2010 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (15 years, 1 month ago) Ordered inactive 10-TR-02147 |
| 8 June 1992 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (33 years ago) |
Discipline Summaries
February 6, 2014 SEAN CURTIS HICKEY [#159116], 52, of Fremont was disbarred Feb. 6, 2014 and ordered to comply with rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court. Hickey failed to respond to a notice of disciplinary charges filed by the State Bar and his default was entered. Because he did not seek to have the default set aside within 180 days, he was disbarred and the charges were deemed admitted.Hickey was charged with two counts of misconduct stemming from two separate disciplinary probation matters. He failed in one matter to comply with the terms of his probation by not filing quarterly reports, paying and showing proof of restitution, attending and completing Ethics School or attending and completing Client Trust Accounting School. In the other matter he failed to submit quarterly reports on time.He has three prior records of discipline. In 2010, he was suspended for nine counts of misconduct stemming from two client matters, including improper withdrawal from representation, seeking an agreement to withdraw a State Bar complaint, and failing to perform legal services with competence, respond to client inquiries, return a client file, refund unearned fees or cooperate in a State Bar investigation. In 2011, he was suspended after stipulating to three counts of misconduct stemming from a single client matter, including failing to perform legal services with competence, refund unearned fees or return a client file. Lastly, in 2012, he was suspended after stipulating to one count of misconduct involving his failure to comply with the conditions of his first disciplinary probation.December 19, 2012 SEAN CURTIS HICKEY [#159116], 51, of Fremont was suspended for three years, stayed, placed on three years of probation with an actual nine-month suspension and he was ordered to comply with rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court. The order took effect Dec. 19, 2012. Hickey admitted that he violated the terms of a 2010 probation by failing to meet with a State Bar probation officer or file two quarterly probation reports. In that matter, he was suspended after stipulating to nine counts of misconduct in two matters.He also was disciplined in 2011 for failing to perform legal services competently, refund unearned fees or return a client file.In mitigation, he cooperated with the bar’s investigation and displayed remorse.November 18, 2011 SEAN CURTIS HICKEY, 50, of Fremont was suspended for two years, stayed, placed on three years of probation with an actual 60-day suspension and he was ordered to take the MPRE within one year. The order took effect Nov. 18, 2011. He stipulated to three counts of misconduct after he was hired to recover the value of a woman’s lost jewelry and other property. Although Hickey reviewed written material, met with the client and prepared a demand letter on her behalf, he did not bring the matter to arbitration and performed no services of any value. He stipulated that he failed to perform legal services competently.He also did not earn any of the client’s $4,000 advance fee, but sent the client a check for $1,016.25 that he said he owed her. The check bounced. He stipulated that he failed to refund unearned fees or return his client’s file.Hickey stipulated to nine counts of misconduct in two matters in 2010. In mitigation, he cooperated with the bar’s investigation.December 9, 2010 SEAN CURTIS HICKEY [#159116], 49, of Fremont was suspended for two years, stayed, placed on three years of probation with a 30-day actual suspension and he was ordered to take the MPRE within one year. The order took effect Dec. 9, 2010. Hickey stipulated to nine counts of misconduct in two matters.He represented a client who was seeking to modity a custody order and enforce her rights to her ex-husband’s pension. After several months, when the ex-husband failed to pay child support, the client hired Hickey to represent her in that matter as well. Although he drafted pleadings in the child support matter, he took no further action, nor did he address additional problems with the pension and visitation issues. Hickey did not respond to his client’s many e-mail and phone messages or keep her up to date about the status of her case.When she fired him, he did not return her file or refund the unearned fee. The client complained to the State Bar and Hickey suggested that she withdraw her complaint if she wished to have her fee refunded.Another client hired Hickey to represent her in a criminal matter but when neither Hickey nor the client appeared at a hearing, the court issued a bench warrant for her arrest, with bail set at $45,000. The client had an insurance policy that she believed would cover the costs claimed by her victim; Hickey was obligated to communicate with the insurance company and provide certain information. He didn’t do so for almost six months. He also didn’t respond to many e-mails from the client and when she complained to the State Bar, he did not respond to a bar investigator.In mitigation, he has no prior discipline record and he cooperated with the bar’s investigation. |