John Gillespie Hartnett was admitted to the California Bar 29th June 1971, but is now resigned. John graduated from Harvard University Law School.

Lawyer Information

NameJohn Gillespie Hartnett
First Admitted29 June 1971 (52 years, 10 months ago)
StatusResigned
Bar Number49505

Contact

Phone Number805-636-7779

Schools

Law SchoolHarvard University Law School (Cambridge MA)
Undergraduate SchoolPrinceton University (Princeton NJ)

Address

Current Address423 Chapala St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Map

History

6 March 2008Resigned (16 years, 1 month ago)
Resignation with charges pending 07-Q-12358
20 July 2007Not eligible to practice law in CA (16 years, 9 months ago)
Discipline w/actual suspension 06-PM-10315
19 June 2007Not eligible to practice law in CA (16 years, 10 months ago)
Vol.inactive(tender of resign.w/charges) 07-Q-12358
18 September 2006Not eligible to practice law in CA (17 years, 7 months ago)
Suspended, failed to pay fees
23 March 2006Not eligible to practice law in CA (18 years, 1 month ago)
Ordered inactive 06-PM-10315
10 February 2006Not eligible to practice law in CA (18 years, 2 months ago)
Suspended, failed to pass Prof.Resp.Exam 03-O-01347
22 August 2005Not eligible to practice law in CA (18 years, 8 months ago)
Suspended/Child & Fam Supp noncompliance
6 June 2005Active (18 years, 11 months ago)
25 September 2004Not eligible to practice law in CA (19 years, 7 months ago)
Discipline w/actual suspension 03-O-01347
26 August 2004Active (19 years, 8 months ago)
23 August 2004Not eligible to practice law in CA (19 years, 8 months ago)
Suspended/Child & Fam Supp noncompliance
20 March 2001Active (23 years, 1 month ago)
19 January 2001Not eligible to practice law in CA (23 years, 3 months ago)
Discipline w/actual suspension 00-C-10087
20 June 2000Conviction records transmitted to State Bar Court (23 years, 10 months ago)
8 December 1982Active (41 years, 5 months ago)
18 October 1973 (50 years, 6 months ago)
Suspended, failed to pay fees
29 June 1971Admitted to the State Bar of California (52 years, 10 months ago)

Discipline Summaries

September 25, 2004

JOHN GILLESPIE HARTNETT [#49505], 62, of Ventura was suspended for two years, stayed, placed on two years of probation with an actual six-month suspension and was ordered to prove his rehabilitation, take the MPRE within one year, make restitution and comply with rule 955. The order took effect Sept. 25, 2004.

Hartnett stipulated to misconduct in three consolidated matters.

In the first, he submitted a statement to the court that incorrectly stated that a bar prosecutor was facing charges of prosecutorial misconduct in federal court. Hartnett did not prepare or read the statement before signing it and stipulated that he did not make a reasonable inquiry into evidentiary support of a statement.

In another matter, he took over a workers’ compensation appeal and claim for Social Security benefits from another attorney who had received $3,750 from the client. Hartnett sent three forms and asked the client to pay him legal fees of $708. He should have known the fees would be paid from any benefits awarded to the client and that the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board would determine the reasonableness of the fee.

When the client learned that both fees should not have been paid, she sought a refund of the total amount — $4,458 — from Hartnett. Receiving no response, she complained to the State Bar. Hartnett sent her $200 and a promissory note promising future payments totaling $508, which he said would discharge him from all liability. The client rejected the promissory note and proposed an alternative but she never received a response, or any additional money, from Hartnett.

In a third matter, Hartnett made two court appearances on behalf of a client whose lawyer was suspended from practice. However, the client was unaware of the appearances and did not know the status of the original attorney. He stipulated that he appeared in court without authority.

Hartnett also did not cooperate with the bar’s investigation of one of the matters.

He was disciplined in 2001 after pleading guilty to four counts of disobeying a protective order and one count each of misdemeanor assault and battery.

January 19, 2001

JOHN GILLESPIE HARTNETT [#49505], 58, of Ventura was suspended for one year, stayed, placed on two years of probation with an actual 60-day suspension, and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year. The order took effect Jan. 19, 2001.

Hartnett pleaded guilty last year to four counts of disobeying a protective order and one count each of misdemeanor assault and battery. A diagnosed schizophrenic, Hartnett had discontinued his medication and began to telephone his ex-wife repeatedly and contacted his children in a way that violated a 1997 restraining order.

He also approached and inappropriately touched a deputy district attorney in court, leading to the assault and battery charges. He has no recollection of these events.

In mitigation, Hartnett cooperated with the bar’s investigation. He resumed medical care and is now taking his medication.