Benjamin Diego Hellewell was admitted to the California Bar 1st June 2009, but has since been disbarred. Benjamin graduated from Southwestern University SOL.

Lawyer Information

NameBenjamin Diego Hellewell
First Admitted1 June 2009 (14 years, 11 months ago)
StatusDisbarred
Bar Number263188

Contact

Current Email[email protected]

Schools

Law SchoolSouthwestern University SOL (Los Angeles CA)
Undergraduate SchoolUniversity of Nevada (Las Vegas NV)

Address

Current AddressPO Box 31382
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420
Map

History

13 June 2013Disbarred (10 years, 10 months ago)
Disbarment 12-O-13068
7 January 2013Not eligible to practice law in CA (11 years, 3 months ago)
Ordered inactive 12-O-13068
21 June 2012Not eligible to practice law in CA (11 years, 10 months ago)
Discipline w/actual suspension 10-O-05890
4 October 2011Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 11-O-12505 (12 years, 7 months ago)
3 February 2011Inactive (13 years, 3 months ago)
1 June 2009Admitted to the State Bar of California (14 years, 11 months ago)

Discipline Summaries

June 13, 2013

BENJAMIN DIEGO HELLEWELL [#263188], 35, of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., was disbarred June 13, 2013 and was ordered to comply with rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court and to make restitution.

Hellewell stipulated to misconduct in two loan modification matters. In one, Hellewell held himself out to be licensed to practice law in Wisconsin; in the other he held himself out to be licensed to practice in Georgia. Hellewell is not licensed in either state. By entering into agreements to practice law and collecting legal fees in states where he was not eligible to practice, Hellewell also collected illegal fees.

Hellewell committed similar misconduct for which he was suspended in 2012. He stipulated to misconduct in 20 loan modification cases, including practicing law in New York, Missouri, Massachusetts, Nevada, Florida, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Colorado, Wisconsin and New Mexico, despite only being licensed in California. The misconduct included failing to perform legal services competently, to refund unearned fees or protect his clients’ interests after termination, and collecting illegal fees.

In addition to his disbarment, Hellewell was ordered to pay $3,400 in restitution.

June 21, 2012

BENJAMIN DIEGO HELLEWELL, 34, of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., was suspended for three years, stayed, placed on four years of probation with an actual two-year suspension and until he proves his rehabilitation, and he was ordered to take the MPRE and comply with rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court. The order took effect June 21, 2012.

Hellewell stipulated to misconduct in 20 loan modification cases, in New York, Missouri, Massachusetts, Nevada, Florida, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Colorado, Wisconsin and New Mexico, as well as California. Clients paid Hellewell between $1,900 and $3,000 per matter.

Hellewell was associated with a loan modification company called National Financial Rescue Group (NFRG) that advertised on the internet. The company changed its name to American Forensic Loan Auditors (AFLA). NFRG and AFLA were owned and operated by non-attorneys.

Hellewell did not obtain a single loan modification or perform other legal services of value. He stipulated that he failed to perform legal services competently, refund unearned fees or protect his clients’ interests after termination, and he practiced in jurisdictions where he is not licensed, collected illegal fees and violated a state law that prohibits collection of advance fees in loan modification matters.

In mitigation, Hellewell cooperated with the bar’s investigation and made restitution to two clients. He joined the company shortly after passing the bar exam but soon realized the company was not interested in giving refunds to clients who were unsuccessful in refinancing their mortgage. He said he feels like a scapegoat for the company.