Lawrence A Merryman was admitted to the California Bar 7th January 1959, but has since been disbarred.

Lawyer Information

NameLawrence A Merryman
First Admitted7 January 1959 (65 years, 4 months ago)
StatusDisbarred
Bar Number28984

Contact

Current Email[email protected]
Phone Number(949) 650-8479
Fax Number(714) 826-7505

Address

Current AddressP O Box 2783
Newport Beach, CA 92659
Map

History

16 May 2007Disbarred (16 years, 11 months ago)
16 September 2004Not Eligible To Practice Law in CA (19 years, 7 months ago)
10 July 2004Active (19 years, 9 months ago)
11 April 2004Not Eligible To Practice Law in CA (20 years ago)
8 October 2003Active (20 years, 6 months ago)
16 September 2003Not Eligible To Practice Law in CA (20 years, 7 months ago)
24 September 2002Active (21 years, 7 months ago)
17 August 2002Not Eligible To Practice Law in CA (21 years, 8 months ago)
24 July 1997Active (26 years, 9 months ago)
21 July 1997Not Eligible To Practice Law in CA (26 years, 9 months ago)
15 August 1994Active (29 years, 8 months ago)
25 July 1994Not Eligible To Practice Law in CA (29 years, 9 months ago)
19 September 1980Active (43 years, 7 months ago)
7 January 1959Admitted to The State Bar of California (65 years, 4 months ago)

Discipline Summaries

May 16, 2007

LAWRENCE A. MERRYMAN [#28984], 76, of Newport Beach was disbarred May 16, 2007, and was ordered to comply with rule 9.20.

In a default proceeding, the State Bar Court found that Merryman failed to comply with rule 955 (now rule 9.20), as ordered in a 2005 probation revocation. He did not file with the court an affidavit stating that he notified his clients, opposing counsel and other pertinent parties of his suspension.

The probation revocation was his fourth discipline. He was first disciplined in 2000 with a private reproval for failing to perform legal services competently, promptly refund unearned fees or maintain complete records of client funds. Two years later, he was disciplined for failing to comply with probation requirements attached to the reproval.

In 2004, after failing to file probation reports, he was disciplined again.

In recommending Merryman’s disbarment, State Bar Court Judge Richard A. Honn wrote that he “demonstrated an unwillingness to comply with the professional obligations and rules of court imposed on California attorneys although he has been given opportunities to do so.”

May 16, 2007

LAWRENCE A. MERRYMAN [#28984], 76, of Newport Beach was disbarred May 16, 2007, and was ordered to comply with rule 9.20.

In a default proceeding, the State Bar Court found that Merryman failed to comply with rule 955 (now rule 9.20), as ordered in a 2005 probation revocation. He did not file with the court an affidavit stating that he notified his clients, opposing counsel and other pertinent parties of his suspension.

The probation revocation was his fourth discipline. He was first disciplined in 2000 with a private reproval for failing to perform legal services competently, promptly refund unearned fees or maintain complete records of client funds. Two years later, he was disciplined for failing to comply with probation requirements attached to the reproval.

In 2004, after failing to file probation reports, he was disciplined again.

In recommending Merryman’s disbarment, State Bar Court Judge Richard A. Honn wrote that he “demonstrated an unwillingness to comply with the professional obligations and rules of court imposed on California attorneys although he has been given opportunities to do so.”

November 20, 2005

LAWRENCE A. MERRYMAN [#28984], 74, of Newport Beach Probation was revoked, the stay of suspension was lifted and he was actually suspended for one year, with credit for a period of involuntary inactive enrollment that began Aug. 25, 2005. He was ordered to comply with rule 955. The order took effect Nov. 20, 2005.

Merryman did not comply with probation conditions attached to a 2004 disciplinary order. He failed to submit quarterly probation reports or respond to inquiries from the probation department.

Merryman has a record of three previous disciplines. The first was a 2000 private reproval for failing to perform legal services competently, promptly refund unearned fees and maintain complete records of client funds. He was disciplined in 2002 and 2004 for failing to comply with conditions attached to the reproval.

April 11, 2004

LAWRENCE A. MERRYMAN [#28984], 73, of Newport Beach was suspended for one year, stayed, placed on probation for one year with an actual 90-day suspension and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year. The order took effect April 11, 2004.

Merryman did not comply with probation conditions attached to a 2002 stipulation — he did not file quarterly probation reports. The stipulation was reached because Merryman did not comply with probation conditions attached to a private reproval imposed in 2000 for failing to perform legal services competently, promptly refund unearned fees and maintain complete records of client funds.

In mitigation, Merryman moved to Arizona and did not keep his membership records up-to-date with the bar. As a result, he did not receive letters reminding him of the terms and conditions of his probation. He also was suffering from severe memory loss due to stress and heart medication.

August 17, 2002

LAWRENCE A. MERRYMAN [#28984], 71, of Bakersfield was suspended for one year, stayed, placed on two years of probation with a 30-day actual suspension and was ordered to make restitution and attend ethics school. The order took effect Aug. 17, 2002.

Merryman stipulated that he failed to comply with probation conditions attached to a private reproval in 2000. He has not made restitution or submitted proof of attendance at ethics school.

The reproval was imposed as a result of Merryman's failure to perform legal services competently, promptly refund unearned fees and maintain complete records of client funds.

In mitigation, he suffered from severe financial stress because several clients did not pay their legal fees. Because Merryman has recently been able to collect some fees, he can now afford to make restitution and to attend ethics school.