Los Angeles, CA 90044-3909
28 October 2017 | Disbarred (6 years, 6 months ago) Disbarment 15-O-13756 |
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10 June 2017 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (6 years, 10 months ago) Ordered inactive 15-O-13756 |
26 January 2016 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 15-O-13756 (8 years, 3 months ago) |
23 February 2012 | Active (12 years, 2 months ago) |
1 September 2010 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (13 years, 8 months ago) Admin Inactive/MCLE noncompliance |
22 March 2008 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (16 years, 1 month ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 01-N-03976 |
1 December 2004 | Active (19 years, 5 months ago) |
20 December 2002 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 4 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 02-PM-11398 |
27 September 2002 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 7 months ago) Suspended, failed to pass Prof.Resp.Exam 00-O-10661 |
5 August 2002 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 02-O-12186 (21 years, 9 months ago) |
3 August 2002 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 9 months ago) Ordered inactive 02-PM-11398 |
21 December 2001 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 01-N-03976 (22 years, 4 months ago) |
1 September 2001 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (22 years, 8 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
1 September 2001 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (22 years, 8 months ago) Admin Inactive/MCLE noncompliance |
17 August 2001 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (22 years, 8 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 00-O-10661 |
8 May 1992 | Active (31 years, 12 months ago) |
12 August 1991 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (32 years, 8 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
19 January 1991 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (33 years, 3 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 84-O-12022 |
20 April 1987 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 87-0-00095 (37 years ago) |
15 August 1985 | Active (38 years, 8 months ago) |
5 August 1985 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (38 years, 9 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
2 June 1972 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (51 years, 11 months ago) |
March 22, 2008 JOHN HENRY EDWARDS III [#52343], 65, of Los Angeles was suspended for four years, stayed, placed on five years of probation with an actual one-year suspension and was ordered to make restitution and comply with rule 9.20. The order took effect March 22, 2008. Edwards successfully completed the State Bar Alternative Discipline Program after demonstrating a nexus between his mental health issues and his misconduct and he participated in the Lawyer Assistance Program.He stipulated that he failed to comply with a Supreme Court order, committing an act of moral turpitude, and he failed to perform legal services, promptly respond to client status inquiries or refund unearned fees.December 20, 2002 JOHN HENRY EDWARDS III [#52343], 59, of Inglewood was revoked, the stay of suspension lifted and he was actually suspended for one year and was ordered to comply with rule 955. The order took effect Dec. 20, 2002. Edwards did not comply with probation conditions of a 2001 discipline. He did not file three quarterly reports and the one report he did file was inadequate. He also did not attend ethics school.The underlying discipline was the result of failing to deposit client funds in a trust account or promptly pay out client funds. He also was disciplined in 1991.In mitigation, he cooperated with the bar's investigation, enrolled in the Lawyers Assistance Program and is seeking treatment for depression.August 17, 2001 JOHN HENRY EDWARDS III [#52343], 57, of Los Angeles was suspended for three years, stayed, placed on probation for three years with a one-year actual suspension and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year and comply with rule 955. The order took effect Aug. 17, 2001. Edwards stipulated he failed to preserve client funds in a trust account or promptly pay out client funds and wilfully disregarded federal bankruptcy law.In 1999, he removed as fees $5,000 of a woman’s personal injury judgment instead of surrendering the funds to a bankruptcy trustee as required. He had been notified and reminded four times that any money received as a result of the personal injury case was the property of the bankruptcy estate.Edwards maintained the remaining portion of the judgment — $2,154 — in his trust account, but failed to respond to a default judgment ordering him to turn over the funds. After a hearing five months later, Edwards issued a certified check for the entire judgment — $7,154 — to the bankruptcy trustee.Edwards has a prior record of discipline involving client trust. In 1991, he was suspended for moral turpitude, failing to preserve funds in a client trust account, communicate with clients, cooperate with the bar’s investigation and committing an act of moral turpitude.In mitigation, Edwards represented his client for many years on a contingency fee basis, expending considerable time on her matter. He took his fee from the personal injury judgment, believing that the work he did on the case could be exempted from the bankruptcy estate. Although forced by the courts, he did ultimately turn the judgment over to the court. At the time the bar court ruled on Edwards’ discipline, the exemption issue had not been decided.Edwards lives with his 83-year-old mother and as of June 2000, became temporarily responsible for his daughter’s two youngest children. He also is pastor of the Church of Greater Works of Los Angeles, which ministers to the homeless and for which he receives no income. |