San Diego, CA 92122-4936
3 July 2012 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (12 years, 10 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
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3 April 2009 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (16 years, 1 month ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 06-O-13789 |
20 August 2008 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 06-O-13789 (16 years, 8 months ago) |
7 June 1996 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (28 years, 11 months ago) |
April 3, 2009 LISA M. RUSSELL [#182496], 46, of San Diego was suspended for two years, stayed, placed on three years of probation with an actual 18-month suspension and until she makes restitution to three clients, and she was ordered to take the MPRE and comply with rule 9.20. The order took effect April 3, 2009. Russell stipulated to seven counts of misconduct in seven matters, six resulting from family law cases. She missed court hearings, did not account for clients’ fees or keep clients up to date on the status of their cases, return files or refund unearned fees, and she abandoned clients without taking steps to protect their interests. She also did not report sanctions to the State Bar or cooperate with the bar’s investigation and she mishandled her client trust account, commingling personal and client funds and writing checks against insufficient funds. She misrepresented the cause and nature of irregularities in her trust account, committing acts of moral turpitude.One client, who was seeking a divorce, was on active duty in the Navy. Russell never became his attorney of record despite two court appearances. Although the client signed and returned several documents needed to finalize his divorce, Russell’s office claimed she never received them.When the client and his representative learned from the court that Russell was not recognized as his attorney, they called her 75 times and wrote a letter and 25 e-mails, complaining about the lack of communication and her performance. She didn’t respond or refund the advanced fees.In mitigation, Russell has no record of discipline since her 1996 admission to the bar, she cooperated with the bar in reaching a stipulation and she suffered severe emotional difficulties due to depression, her divorce and her mother’s illness. |