Lawrence Mark Gotlieb was admitted to the California Bar 1st July 1993, but has since been disbarred. Lawrence graduated from Southwestern University SOL.
Lawyer Information
| Name | Lawrence Mark Gotlieb |
|---|---|
| First Admitted | 1 July 1993 (31 years, 11 months ago) |
| Status | Disbarred |
| Bar Number | 165462 |
Contact
| Phone Number | 310-854-3055 |
|---|---|
| Fax Number | 310-854-3062 |
Schools
| Law School | Southwestern University SOL (Los Angeles CA) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate School | York University (Canada) |
Address
| Current Address | Law Ofc Orlando J Castano, 8530 Wilshire Blvd #307 Beverly Hills, CA 90211 |
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| Map |
History
| 15 November 2003 | Disbarred (21 years, 6 months ago) Disbarment 02-O-11584 |
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| 8 June 2003 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (22 years ago) Ordered inactive 02-O-11584 |
| 29 April 2003 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 03-N-01081 (22 years, 1 month ago) |
| 5 February 2003 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (22 years, 4 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 00-O-15172 |
| 24 January 2003 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (22 years, 4 months ago) Ordered inactive 02-O-11584 |
| 20 November 2002 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 02-O-11584 (22 years, 6 months ago) |
| 1 July 1993 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (31 years, 11 months ago) |
Discipline Summaries
November 15, 2003 LAWRENCE M. GOTLIEB [#165462], 39, of Beverly Hills was disbarred Nov. 15, 2003, and was ordered to comply with rule 955. In a default proceeding, the State Bar Court found that Gotlieb committed three acts of misconduct in his handling of settlement money in a personal injury case.He settled the case for $8,000 without his client's authorization, signed the client's name on the check and deposited the money in a regular account. He wrote checks against the account, labeling it "client trust account."The balance fell below the amount that should have been maintained.When the client learned the check had been issued and negotiated, he made five phone calls to Gotlieb, but never heard from him.The State Bar Court found that Gotlieb failed to communicate with his client, notify him of the receipt of settlement funds or deposit those funds in a client trust account, and he misappropriated client funds and committed an act of moral turpitude.Gotlieb was disciplined for similar misconduct earlier in 2003.In recommending Gotlieb's disbarment, Judge Pat McElroy wrote: "The court is troubled by the fact that the misappropriation and other misconduct . . . does not appear to be isolated or uncharacteristic acts, but a continuing course of serious misconduct . . . It appears that [Gotlieb] does not appreciate his professional duties to his client, to be truthful and to safekeep all funds held for the benefit of his clients."February 5, 2003 LAWRENCE MARK GOTLIEB [#165462], 38, of Beverly Hills was suspended for 24 months, stayed, placed on 24 months of probation with a 12-month actual suspension, and was ordered to make restitution, take the MPRE and comply with rule 955. If the actual suspension exceeds two years, he must prove his rehabilitation. The order took effect Feb. 5, 2003. Gotlieb represented a client in a personal injury case on a contingency fee basis. The client had received more than $11,000 from her own insurer; the carrier was to be indemnified out of any settlement funds received on a property damage claim. The client also owed two doctor bills for $4,400 and $750.Gotlieb settled the case for $9,000, but let the balance in his trust account fall below the required amount. He contacted his client's insurance company, informing them of his receipt of settlement funds and inviting them to negotiate the amount sought. The company never responded and Gotlieb made no further effort to make contact. Nor did he disburse any money to his client or her doctors.When the client was contacted by a collection agency, Gotlieb wrote a $300 check as partial payment of a medical lien. He made no further effort to pay the balance or negotiate a reduced lien. He did negotiate a reduced lien for the other doctor and paid that amount.He never gave the client any money.Gotlieb stipulated that he misappropriated client funds and failed to communicate with a client, perform legal services competently or maintain client funds in a trust account.In mitigation, he has no record of discipline in nine years of practice, he cooperated with the bar's investigation, he was having financial difficulties at the time and he now works as an in-house counsel and has no clients of his own. |