San Jose, CA 95148
26 April 2001 | Disbarred (24 years ago) Disbarment 00-N-12577 |
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25 December 2000 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (24 years, 4 months ago) Ordered inactive 00-N-12577 |
9 November 2000 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (24 years, 5 months ago) Ordered inactive 00-N-12577 |
28 August 2000 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 00-N-12577 (24 years, 8 months ago) |
11 May 2000 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (24 years, 12 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 99-O-10470 |
2 December 1999 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (25 years, 5 months ago) Ordered inactive 99-O-10470 |
12 August 1996 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (28 years, 9 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
12 August 1996 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (28 years, 9 months ago) Admin Inactive/MCLE noncompliance |
21 July 1995 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (29 years, 9 months ago) |
April 26, 2001 BARBARA SHARPE [#177488], 42, of San Jose was disbarred April 26, 2001, and ordered to comply with rule 955 of the California Rules of Court. In a default proceeding, the State Bar Court found Sharpe failed to comply with rule 955 by the date ordered when she received a one-year suspension in May 2000 for practicing law without a license. Sharpe failed to notify clients of her suspension, return clients’ property and unearned fees or submit notice to the courts.Sharpe was suspended from practice in August 1996. Four days later, she filed a civil action on behalf of a client and corresponded with two agencies, stating that she was the client’s attorney. She never notified the client of her suspension as she pursued his case. When she failed to respond adequately to his inquiries, however, the client became suspicious and learned of her suspension, hired a new lawyer and sought the return of his file. She did not return the file.The court found Sharpe practiced law while suspended, violated a court order, failed to keep her client advised of a development in his case or respond to his status inquiries, failed to return his file and committed acts of moral turpitude. The court dismissed charges that Sharpe did not cooperate with the bar’s investigation since she did not keep her address current and all bar letters to her were returned.In the current case, the court cited as aggravating factors Sharpe’s prior discipline and her failure to participate in the disciplinary proceeding.May 11, 2000 BARBARA SHARPE [#177488], 41, of San Jose was suspended for one year and until she completes ethics school and the State Bar Court issues an order to terminate the suspension. If the suspension exceeds two years, she must prove her rehabilitation. She also was ordered to comply with any probation conditions imposed as a condition for terminating the suspension, to take the MPRE and to comply with rule 955. The order took effect May 11, 2000. Sharpe was suspended from practice August 12, 1996. Four days later, she filed a civil action on behalf of a client and corresponded with two agencies stating that she was the attorney for her client. She never notified the client of her suspension as she pursued his case.When she failed to respond adequately to his inquiries, however, the client became suspicious and learned of her suspension, hired a new lawyer and sought the return of his file. She has not returned the file.In a default proceeding, the State Bar Court found that Sharpe practiced law while suspended, violated a court order, failed to keep her client advised of a development in his case or respond to his status inquiries, failed to return his file and committed acts of moral turpitude. The court dismissed charges that Sharpe did not cooperate with the bar’s investigation since she did not keep her address current and all bar letters to her were returned. |