Richmond, CA 94804
19 February 2005 | Disbarred (20 years, 4 months ago) Disbarment 00-O-14561 |
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17 September 2004 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (20 years, 9 months ago) Ordered inactive 00-O-14561 |
20 June 2004 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years ago) Ordered inactive 00-O-14561 |
26 March 2004 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 00-O-14561 (21 years, 2 months ago) |
14 December 1993 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (31 years, 6 months ago) |
February 19, 2005 GREGORY BAUTISTA BAMBO III [#169703], 43, of Richmond was disbarred Feb. 19, 2005, and was ordered to comply with rule 955. In a default proceeding, the State Bar Court found that Bambo misappropriated at least $23,000 in client funds, failed to perform legal services competently, refund unearned fees, cooperate with the bar’s investigation, pay client funds, communicate with clients or release client files, and he commingled funds and committed acts of moral turpitude.Bambo was charged with misconduct in four matters.The first was a real estate case, for which the client paid fees totaling almost $80,000. Two defendants settled for $60,000; Bambo deposited the check in his client trust account, withdrew the money and purchased a cashier’s check for $60,000 payable to himself. The client never received any money, his wages were attached and liens were filed against his bank and brokerage accounts. He ultimately was forced to file for personal bankruptcy. Bambo’s misconduct resulted in the imposition of $35,000 in sanctions that he never paid, according to court papers.In the second matter, he represented a woman who sought legal advice because she was getting a divorce and wished to sell her house. Bambo did no work on her case.Another client hired Bambo to represent her in an action against her landlord and a realtor regarding property she leased. Although Bambo never filed or served a complaint, scheduled a mediation or settled the matter, he told the client he had performed all those services. He did not return her file or refund her $2,500 advance fee.According to the client’s declaration, she lost her right to sue because Bambo allowed the statute of limitations to expire.Bambo also mishandled his client trust account by using it to make payments to a non-client and he made 27 electronic debits against insufficient funds. |