Boulder, CO 80302-5803
26 November 2010 | Active (14 years, 5 months ago) |
---|---|
26 November 2009 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (15 years, 5 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 05-O-03802 |
10 August 2006 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 05-O-03802 (18 years, 9 months ago) |
29 July 2005 | Active (19 years, 9 months ago) |
1 September 2001 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (23 years, 8 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
19 July 1993 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (31 years, 9 months ago) Admin Inactive/MCLE noncompliance |
9 January 1969 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (56 years, 4 months ago) |
November 26, 2009 ROBERT S. PELCYGER [#43614], 68, of Boulder, Colo., was suspended for three years, stayed, placed on five years of probation with a one-year actual suspension and he was ordered to take the MPRE and comply with rule 9.20. The order took effect Nov. 26, 2009. Pelcyger appealed a State Bar Court hearing judge’s findings that he engaged in the unauthorized practice of law for nearly 18 years, committed acts of moral turpitude and collected an illegal fee.Admitted to the California bar in 1969, Pelcyger has spent his entire legal career representing Native American claims. From 1987-2005, he began practicing extensively in the Nevada state and federal courts, but he was never admitted to practice in either bar. In addition, in 1993, he was suspended in California for failing to comply with MCLE requirements. He remained suspended until 2005, but practiced in California throughout that time, including collecting a portion of the $1.7 million in fees his firm received from the Paiute Tribe.The bar court found, and the review department agreed, that Pelcyger failed to obey the law, practiced without authorization in another jurisdiction, committed acts of moral turpitude by repeatedly misrepresenting the status of his California license, and he charged and collected substantial illegal fees.In mitigation, he had no prior record of discipline, had experienced excessive stress in his personal life, cooperated with the bar’s investigation, established good character and demonstrated remorse.“Despite Pelcyger’s excellent reputation and catastrophic personal events, he failed to fulfill a crucial duty of honesty toward his clients and the courts for 18 years,†wrote Judge Catherine Purcell. “This lengthy period of UPL is simply inexcusable.†|