Alhambra, CA 91801-3877
1 July 2021 | Inactive (3 years, 10 months ago) |
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22 June 2003 | Discipline, probation; no actual susp. 99-O-13359 (21 years, 10 months ago) |
23 July 2002 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 99-O-13359 (22 years, 9 months ago) |
22 July 1953 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (71 years, 10 months ago) |
June 22, 2003 HIRAM KWAN [#24340], 79 , of Los Angeles was suspended for one year, stayed, placed on two years of probation and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year. The order took effect June 22, 2003. Kwan stipulated that by failing to supervise his staff, who diverted payments meant for medical providers to their personal use, he failed to perform legal services competently. He also shared fees with non-lawyers and commingled personal and business funds in his client trust account.Kwan handled primarily personal injury matters in his Huntington Beach office, where he employed two persons who interviewed clients, negotiated settlements with insurance companies and gave Kwan the names of the clients' medical provid-ers. Kwan had the sole responsibility of writing settlement checks to clients and doctors.His paralegal had two different business checking accounts and used four different names to cash checks through these accounts.Kwan admitted that in the cases of three clients, he wrote checks to their chiropractors totaling $4,200 that were cashed by his paralegal.In mitigation, Kwan has no record of discipline since his 1953 admission to the bar, he has participated in community service and done pro bono work and taught law. During the time of the misconduct, he became ill and his wife underwent several surgeries. |