Los Angeles, CA 90010-2713
15 April 2001 | Resigned (24 years, 2 months ago) Resignation with charges pending 01-Q-00572 |
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28 February 2001 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (24 years, 3 months ago) Vol.inactive(tender of resign.w/charges) 01-Q-00572 |
7 May 2000 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (25 years, 1 month ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 97-O-11096 |
14 June 1999 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 97-O-18241 (26 years ago) |
24 February 1998 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 98-N-00038 (27 years, 3 months ago) |
23 February 1998 | Active (27 years, 4 months ago) |
23 December 1997 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 97-O-12529 (27 years, 6 months ago) |
19 November 1997 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (27 years, 7 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 95-H-18114 |
6 November 1997 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 97-O-11096 (27 years, 7 months ago) |
29 February 1996 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 95-H-18114 (29 years, 3 months ago) |
31 May 1995 | Private reproval, public disclosure 93-C-12191 (30 years ago) |
31 January 1995 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 95-O-10368 (30 years, 4 months ago) |
4 March 1983 | Active (42 years, 3 months ago) |
7 July 1982 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (42 years, 11 months ago) |
31 July 1981 | Active (43 years, 11 months ago) |
1 April 1981 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (44 years, 2 months ago) |
13 June 1962 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (63 years ago) |
May 7, 2000 BENJAMIN NEWTON WYATT JR. [#33214], 67, of Los Angeles was suspended for three years, stayed, placed on five years of probation with an actual three-year suspension, and was ordered to make restitution, prove his rehabilitation, take the MPRE and comply with rule 955. The order took effect May 7, 2000. Wyatt stipulated to misconduct in six cases.In the first matter, he handled a client’s divorce for a $1,500 fee. He checked in with the court clerk the day a hearing and mediation were scheduled, and then went to the mediation, which did not go forward because neither the opposing counsel nor the opposing client was present. Wyatt mistakenly assumed both the hearing and the mediation were taken off calendar and left the court without confirming matters with clerk.The hearing was held in Wyatt’s absence, his client’s wife won custody and his client was ordered to pay spousal and child support. He did not inform his client about the ruling and did not return numerous phone calls.Wyatt stipulated that he failed to perform legal services competently or respond to a client’s inquiries. He also failed to cooperate with a subsequent bar investigation of his actions.Wyatt stipulated to a private reproval in 1995, but did not comply with its probationary conditions by failing to take and pass the professional responsibility exam. In a 1997 disciplinary order, reference was made to evidence that Wyatt had not taken the MPRE, as ordered as a condition of the reproval. Wyatt sought review of the order and said under penalty of perjury that he had taken and passed the MPRE when he had not.Wyatt also practiced law on behalf of three clients while suspended later the same year. He did not comply with the conditions of his probation.Wyatt has been disciplined by the bar five times, beginning in 1975.In mitigation, he appeared in court while suspended because he could not find substitute counsel for his clients. He provided letters from attorneys attesting to his reputation as a respected member of the legal community.November 19, 1997 BENJAMIN NEWTON WYATT JR. [#33214], 43, of Los Angeles was suspended for one year, stayed, placed on two years of probation with a 90-day actual suspension, and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year and comply with rule 955. The order took effect Nov. 19, 1997. In a default proceeding, the bar court found that Wyatt did not comply with the conditions of a private reproval issued in 1995 by failing to submit three probation reports on time.The underlying disciplinary reproval arose from his conviction in Los Angeles municipal court of various health code violations involving failure to maintain a dwelling.Wyatt has been disciplined previously three times, but the misconduct occurred long ago and was given little weight in aggravation. |