James Douglas Lia is an active member of the California Bar and was admitted 11th January 1966. James graduated from Stanford University Law School.
Lawyer Information
| Name | James Douglas Lia |
|---|---|
| First Admitted | 11 January 1966 (58 years, 3 months ago) |
| Status | Active |
| Bar Number | 37567 |
Contact
| Phone Number | 562-493-0923 |
|---|---|
| Fax Number | (562) 493-6539 |
Schools
| Law School | Stanford University Law School (Stanford CA) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate School | Syracuse University (Syracuse NY) |
Address
| Current Address | 3310 N El Dorado Dr Long Beach, CA 90808-3235 |
|---|---|
| Map | |
| Previous Address | budget legal system 3502 Katella Ave Ste 206 Los Alamitos, CA 90720 |
History
| 7 August 2004 | Discipline, probation; no actual susp. 02-O-12769 (19 years, 8 months ago) |
|---|---|
| 5 January 1986 | Active (38 years, 4 months ago) |
| 1 January 1986 | Inactive (38 years, 4 months ago) |
| 11 January 1966 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (58 years, 3 months ago) |
Discipline Summaries
August 7, 2004 JAMES D. LIA [#37567], 65, of Los Alamitos was suspended for one year, stayed, placed on two years of probation and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year. The order took effect Aug. 7, 2004. Lia stipulated that he failed to perform legal services competently, split legal fees with a non-lawyer and aided a non-lawyer in the unauthorized practice of law.Lia’s office was located in the same building as a paralegal service called Budget Legal Center. He first met the service’s non-attorney owner, Philip Harris, when Harris asked Lia legal questions about bankruptcy and divorce law. Eventually, Harris asked Lia to review bankruptcy petitions he had prepared and ultimately paid Lia $25 for each bankruptcy case he reviewed.Without Lia’s knowledge, a bankruptcy client signed a retainer agreement and agreed to pay a $375 fee to Lia. He paid the fee to Harris with a check payable to the Budget Legal Center. Lia never met, spoke with, consulted or communicated with the client and he never performed any legal services. Harris’ work, including rendering legal advice, constituted the practice of law.Lia reviewed and signed the bankruptcy petition without determining whether the information it contained was accurate. He also signed a disclosure form indicating he was attorney of record and had collected a fee, and that he would not share any compensation with another person. Harris gave Lia $25 and filed the petition with the bankruptcy court. The client appeared on his own behalf, but under questioning admitted he had never met Lia.The court ordered Lia to disgorge the $375 fee, which he did, despite having received only $25. He had ended his arrangement with Harris prior to the disciplinary proceedings against him. Lia was not allowed to practice in bankruptcy court for one year. In mitigation, he completed his pending cases without charge, demonstrated remorse about his conduct, complied with the court’s fee disgorgement order, and has served for many years as a voluntary fee dispute arbitrator for the State Bar, and the Los Angeles and Orange county bar associations. |