Douglas Dean Potratz is an active member of the California Bar and was admitted 19th November 1996. Douglas graduated from Western State University COL.
Lawyer Information
| Name | Douglas Dean Potratz |
|---|---|
| First Admitted | 19 November 1996 (27 years, 5 months ago) |
| Status | Active |
| Bar Number | 183742 |
Contact
| Current Email | [email protected] |
|---|---|
| Phone Number | 714-791-3733 |
| Fax Number | 855-715-0800 |
Schools
| Law School | Western State University COL (Fullerton CA) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate School | San Diego State University (San Diego CA) |
Address
| Current Address | Law Office of Douglas Potratz, 2009 N Broadway Santa Ana, CA 92706-2611 |
|---|---|
| Map | |
| Previous Address | Law Office of Douglas Potratz 611 W Civic Center Dr Ste 202 Santa Ana, CA 92701-4021 |
History
| 15 July 2010 | Active (13 years, 9 months ago) |
|---|---|
| 9 March 2010 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (14 years, 1 month ago) Actual Suspension Delayed 04-O-10271 |
| 26 February 2010 | Law Practice Restricted 04-O-10271 (14 years, 2 months ago) |
| 19 September 2005 | Active (18 years, 7 months ago) |
| 16 September 2005 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (18 years, 7 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
| 19 April 2005 | Active (19 years ago) |
| 25 January 2005 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (19 years, 3 months ago) Suspended, failed to pass Prof.Resp.Exam 01-O-02968 |
| 13 March 2004 | Active (20 years, 1 month ago) |
| 19 January 2004 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (20 years, 3 months ago) Actual Suspension Delayed 01-O-02968 |
| 24 December 2003 | Active (20 years, 4 months ago) |
| 23 December 2003 | Probation with conditions 01-O-02968 (20 years, 4 months ago) |
| 18 December 2003 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (20 years, 4 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 01-O-02968 |
| 4 September 2002 | Active (21 years, 8 months ago) |
| 4 September 2002 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 8 months ago) |
| 19 November 1996 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (27 years, 5 months ago) |
Discipline Summaries
February 26, 2010 DOUGLAS DEAN POTRATZ [#183742], 57, of Santa Ana was suspended for one year, stayed, placed on probation for three years with an actual suspension of 120 days and he was ordered to comply with rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court. The order took effect Feb. 26, 2010. Potratz successfully completed the Alternative Discipline Program after he demonstrated a connection between his misconduct and his mental health issues. He no longer suffers from emotional problems, according to the State Bar Court findings.He stipulated that he represented clients while suspended, committed acts of moral turpitude by authorizing that an electronic check be drawn against his client trust account when it held insufficient funds, he commingled personal funds in his client trust account and he failed to cooperate with the bar’s investigation.In one client matter, Potratz failed to provide competent legal services, assured his client he was licensed to practice when in fact he was suspended, and he failed to keep his client informed of developments in his case.He cooperated with the bar’s investigation, but he was disciplined in 2003 for mishandling his client trust account.December 18, 2003 DOUGLAS DEAN POTRATZ [#183742], 50, of Santa Ana was suspended for one year, stayed, placed on three years of probation with an actual 60-day suspension, and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year. The order took effect Dec. 18, 2003. Potratz stipulated to two counts of misconduct in handling his client trust account. After his bank notified the State Bar that Potratz wrote two checks against insufficient funds, the bar examined his account and learned that Potratz wrote numerous checks for things such as car payments. Potratz told the bar he represents primarily criminal defendants, and keeps their money in his trust account so he can pay their bills, including car payments. However, the bar learned Potratz also wrote at least 18 checks against the account for personal use, including payments for electronics and his office rent and phone bill. He also was issued three warning letters, two for writing checks against insufficient funds, and attended client trust accounting school as the result of a previous complaint. |