Jeremy Alberts

October 16, 2014

JEREMY JON ALBERTS [#273290], 32, of Santa Ana, was suspended from the practice of law for 30 days and ordered to take the MPRE. He was also placed on three years’ probation and faces a two-year suspension if he does not comply with the terms of his disciplinary probation. The order took effect Oct. 16, 2014. Alberts stipulated to misconduct in 20 matters, including sending letters to clients regarding his availability for employment that were misleading and omitted certain facts, failing to keep copies of the letters offering legal services to the prospective clients for two years, offering his services to a clients with whom he had no familial or prior professional relationship and failing to perform legal services with competence. From March 8, 2013 to Jan. 30, 2014, Alberts sent letters offering his legal services to 17 prospective clients leading them to believe that a lawsuit had been filed against them and that their assets were in danger of being seized. The letters also stated that an attorney hired to defend the prospective client had failed to take action on their behalf and that the client should hire Alberts to ensure the best representation. In actuality, Alberts sent the letters only five days after the civil lawsuit was filed and before it had been served on the prospective client. In April 2013, Alberts or one of his employees called a man four times, offering him legal services in connection with a suit against a company the man had hired to do work for him. Alberts had no relationship with the client at the time. The following month, Alberts or an employee called another prospective client repeatedly, making a solicitation. In 2012, Alberts contacted a couple offering to represent them in an unlawful detainer matter he said would be filed against them following the foreclosure sale of their house. The couple was served with the suit and hired Alberts to file a wrongful foreclosure matter, paying him $8,320. Alberts failed, among other things, to file an opposition to a motion to dismiss the wrongful foreclosure suit, leading a judge to dismiss the case. In mitigation, Alberts entered into a pretrial stipulation with the State Bar.