Paul Smith

December 25, 2014

PAUL ELLIOTT SMITH [#216644], 44, of Los Angeles, was disbarred Dec. 25, 2014 and ordered to comply with rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court and make restitution. Smith was disbarred after his default was entered for failing to respond to a notice of disciplinary charges against him. Because he made no effort to vacate the default within 180 days as required by the State Bar’s Rules of Procedure, he was disbarred and the charges against him were deemed admitted. In one matter, Smith failed to perform legal services with competence by not filing a case management statement, appearing at a scheduled mediation opposing a summary judgment motion or taking any steps to secure relief from the judgment. He also did not notify his client of a mediation date, the trial date, the filing of a motion for summary judgment or the entry of summary judgment against the client. In another matter, he failed to refund unearned fees. In the third case, he failed to perform legal services with competence by not opposing a motion to compel discovery, failing to appear at the hearing on that motion and not opposing a motion for terminating sanctions and failing to appear at the hearing on that motion. In all three of the matters he did not cooperate with a State Bar investigation looking into the allegations against him. He was ordered to pay $1,500 plus interest in restitution.