Santa Monica, CA 90403-4616
24 October 1997 | Disbarred (26 years, 6 months ago) Disbarment 94-O-13540 |
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10 February 1997 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (27 years, 3 months ago) Ordered inactive 94-O-13540 |
27 November 1996 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 96-O-00733 (27 years, 5 months ago) |
31 October 1996 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 94-O-15662 (27 years, 6 months ago) |
31 October 1996 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 95-O-13402 (27 years, 6 months ago) |
14 November 1995 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 94-O-13540 (28 years, 6 months ago) |
21 April 1995 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 94-O-13947 (29 years ago) |
1 December 1986 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 86-O-00162 (37 years, 5 months ago) |
16 August 1985 | Discipline, probation; no actual susp. (38 years, 9 months ago) |
9 July 1985 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 85-O-00107 (38 years, 10 months ago) |
5 January 1965 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (59 years, 4 months ago) |
October 24, 1997 LOUIS HAROLD BERNSTEIN [#35840], 62, of Santa Monica was disbarred Oct. 24, 1997, and ordered to comply with rule 955 of the California Rules of Court. Bernstein was disbarred for misconduct surrounding three client matters, including misappropriation of client funds.In one instance, Bernstein was employed by a woman in 1990 to represent her in a personal injury matter. The client agreed to settle for $15,000 and Bernstein went to the opposing party’s law firm to pick up the settlement check.However, he did not inform the client of his receipt of the check, which was made out jointly to Bernstein and the client.The client maintained that her endorsement on the back of the check was a forgery and she never gave anyone permission to sign either the release or the settlement draft.Bernstein deposited the check in his client trust account and although no disbursements were made to the client, the account fell below the required balance.Bernstein told the client that her case was unresolved and that the settlement offer had been rejected. However, the client discovered otherwise after she reviewed the court file for her case.By the time the client testified in Bernstein's disciplinary case, she had not been paid the funds due to her.In another matter, Bernstein was employed by a man to represent his son in a criminal matter, paying him $7,500 for anticipated services and $650 for a court reporter’s transcripts.Bernstein did not complete legal services and did not return unearned fees, despite several demands from the boy’s father.Bernstein also neglected to follow through with a case concerning a disputed probate matter and did not return unearned fees from the $2,600 advance or provide an accounting of the fees, as requested by the client.No mitigating circumstances were established and Bernstein’s prior record of discipline was considered an aggravating factor.Bernstein received a 30-day stayed suspension and one-year probation in 1985 for failure to perform legal services and return unearned legal fees in a criminal matter.Also considered as aggravating factors was evidence of multiple acts of wrongdoing, significant harm to clients, failure to make restitution and Bernstein’s failure to participate in disciplinary hearings prior to entry of default.Bernstein has been a member of the bar since 1965. |