Murry Sturner was first admitted to the California Bar 19th June 1968, but is currently resigned with charges pending. Murry graduated from Southwestern University SOL.
Lawyer Information
| Name | Murry Sturner |
|---|---|
| First Admitted | 19 June 1968 (55 years, 10 months ago) |
| Status | Resigned with Charges Pending |
| Bar Number | 42395 |
Contact
| Phone Number | (310) 273-3683 |
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School
| Law School | Southwestern University SOL (Los Angeles CA) |
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Address
| Current Address | Suite 300 9300 Wilshire Blvd Beverly Hills, CA 90212 |
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| Map |
History
| 3 May 2003 | Resigned (21 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 29 September 2000 | Not Eligible To Practice Law in CA (23 years, 7 months ago) |
| 19 June 1968 | Admitted to The State Bar of California (55 years, 10 months ago) |
Discipline Summaries
September 29, 2000 MURRY STURNER [#42395], 64, of Beverly Hills was suspended for five years, stayed, placed on three years of probation with an actual 18-month suspension, and was ordered to make restitution, take the MPRE and comply with rule 955. If the actual suspension exceeds two years, he must prove his rehabilitation. The order took effect Sept. 29, 2000. Sturner stipulated to misconduct in four consolidated matters.In 1996, Sturner wrote himself three checks totaling $14,700 against his client trust account, knowing that he was not entitled to do so, that the balance was below what he owed to five clients and their doctors, and that writing the checks would increase the shortage in his trust account.Without his knowledge, his wife, who managed the office, engaged in a check kiting scheme, cycling about $100,000 per month between the client trust account, the general office account and her personal bank account. Trust account funds accounted for only a small percentage of the money, but the scheme caused about a six-month delay in clients receiving any funds they were owed.When the bar investigated, Sturner said the insolvency was caused by checks written to him against insufficient funds — information provided by his wife which he did not independently verify.He stipulated that he failed to maintain his client trust account for more than a year and negligently participated in his wife’s mishandling of the account. By blaming his wife and concealing the true causes of the insolvency, he frustrated the bar’s investigation. All were acts of moral turpitude.Sturner also established a business practice of negotiating discounts for medical services from various providers. He sent various clients accountings in which he deducted the full amount of the medical service bills from settlement funds received as well as the full amount for his services. He then paid the medical bills for a lesser amount than withheld from the settlement funds and transferred the reduction to his personal account.In one particular case, Sturner deposited two checks totaling $16,200 in his trust account, from which his clients were to pay about $3,500 in doctor bills. He then negotiated an agreement with the doctor to pay about $2,100, but did not tell his clients. He did not pay the doctor until after the doctor complained to the State Bar.Sturner stipulated that he failed to promptly disburse client funds and that by giving his clients a false accounting of medical bills and by converting the reductions to his personal account, he committed acts of moral turpitude.In a third case, Sturner obtained an $88,000 settlement of a workers’ compensation claim for his elderly client. His wife picked up the client to take her to a bank, but began to cry and told the client of her and Sturner’s financial woes. She asked for and received from the client a loan of $12,500.Sturner learned about the loan when the client demanded payment. He did not repay the loan or advise the client to seek independent legal advice. The client eventually sued, Sturner and his wife filed for bankruptcy, and after the client died, Sturner repaid $1,100 to the estate. He stipulated that he improperly entered into a business transaction with a client.In the final matter, Sturner held an attorney fee payment of $11,250 in trust, pending resolution of a dispute between him and the widow of the first attorney who handled the case. She held a lien on the fee.He made an offer, the widow asked for more and he then made no reasonable effort to resolve the matter for more than 20 months. He finally paid the widow what he originally offered. He stipulated that he violated a court order by the workers’ compensation judge.Sturner had no record of discipline in 32 years of practice, most clients and medical providers were paid and Sturner is working to repay the others. He suffered severe personal and financial stress; he paid for two round-the-clock caretakers for his disabled mother-in-law, paid his daughter’s private school tuition and helped support two college-age stepsons. His wife, who has been on anti-depressants for eight years, is no longer his employee. He also provided testimony attesting to his good character and has served as a volunteer arbitrator/mediator in the Los Angeles County courts for the past four years. |