Visalia, CA 93277
1 July 2016 | Not Eligible To Practice Law in CA (8 years, 10 months ago) |
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11 September 2007 | Active (17 years, 7 months ago) |
13 June 2007 | Not Eligible To Practice Law in CA (17 years, 10 months ago) |
7 January 1971 | Admitted to The State Bar of California (54 years, 4 months ago) |
June 13, 2007 CHARLES LAWRENCE LAZARO [#48175], 66, of Visalia 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 9.20. The order took effect June 13, 2007. Lazaro stipulated to two counts of misconduct in handling the estate of his clients’ father. After the clients were appointed co-administrators of the estate, Lazaro did some work, including sending notices to creditors, publishing notices to creditors and trying to marshal the estate’s assets. He also paid the estate’s creditors.When he stopped communicating with his clients, they hired a new lawyer. Lazaro failed to deliver the estate’s remaining funds to the new lawyer, keeping $1,000 that he claimed as his fee. He did not obtain the required court approval of the fee and no one authorized him to take the funds.He stipulated that he collected an illegal fee and failed to deliver client funds.In mitigation, Lazaro had no prior discipline record, he made restitution to the estate and he demonstrated remorse.June 13, 2007 CHARLES LAWRENCE LAZARO [#48175], 66, of Visalia 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 9.20. The order took effect June 13, 2007. Lazaro stipulated to two counts of misconduct in handling the estate of his clients’ father. After the clients were appointed co-administrators of the estate, Lazaro did some work, including sending notices to creditors, publishing notices to creditors and trying to marshal the estate’s assets. He also paid the estate’s creditors.When he stopped communicating with his clients, they hired a new lawyer. Lazaro failed to deliver the estate’s remaining funds to the new lawyer, keeping $1,000 that he claimed as his fee. He did not obtain the required court approval of the fee and no one authorized him to take the funds.He stipulated that he collected an illegal fee and failed to deliver client funds.In mitigation, Lazaro had no prior discipline record, he made restitution to the estate and he demonstrated remorse. |