John Henry Edwards III was admitted to the California Bar 2nd June 1972, but has since been disbarred. John graduated from Southwestern University SOL.

Lawyer Information

NameJohn Henry Edwards III
First Admitted2 June 1972 (51 years, 11 months ago)
StatusDisbarred
Bar Number52343

Contact

Current Email[email protected]
Phone Number323-383-2495
Fax Number323-531-9779

Schools

Law SchoolSouthwestern University SOL (Los Angeles CA)
Undergraduate SchoolBoston Coll (Chestnut Hill MA)

Address

Current AddressAttorney at Law, 510 W 121st St
Los Angeles, CA 90044-3909
Map

History

28 October 2017Disbarred (6 years, 6 months ago)
Disbarment 15-O-13756
10 June 2017Not eligible to practice law in CA (6 years, 10 months ago)
Ordered inactive 15-O-13756
26 January 2016Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 15-O-13756 (8 years, 3 months ago)
23 February 2012Active (12 years, 2 months ago)
1 September 2010Not eligible to practice law in CA (13 years, 8 months ago)
Admin Inactive/MCLE noncompliance
22 March 2008Not eligible to practice law in CA (16 years, 1 month ago)
Discipline w/actual suspension 01-N-03976
1 December 2004Active (19 years, 5 months ago)
20 December 2002Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 4 months ago)
Discipline w/actual suspension 02-PM-11398
27 September 2002Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 7 months ago)
Suspended, failed to pass Prof.Resp.Exam 00-O-10661
5 August 2002Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 02-O-12186 (21 years, 9 months ago)
3 August 2002Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 9 months ago)
Ordered inactive 02-PM-11398
21 December 2001Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 01-N-03976 (22 years, 4 months ago)
1 September 2001Not eligible to practice law in CA (22 years, 8 months ago)
Suspended, failed to pay fees
1 September 2001Not eligible to practice law in CA (22 years, 8 months ago)
Admin Inactive/MCLE noncompliance
17 August 2001Not eligible to practice law in CA (22 years, 8 months ago)
Discipline w/actual suspension 00-O-10661
8 May 1992Active (31 years, 12 months ago)
12 August 1991Not eligible to practice law in CA (32 years, 8 months ago)
Suspended, failed to pay fees
19 January 1991Not eligible to practice law in CA (33 years, 3 months ago)
Discipline w/actual suspension 84-O-12022
20 April 1987Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 87-0-00095 (37 years ago)
15 August 1985Active (38 years, 8 months ago)
5 August 1985Not eligible to practice law in CA (38 years, 9 months ago)
Suspended, failed to pay fees
2 June 1972Admitted to the State Bar of California (51 years, 11 months ago)

Discipline Summaries

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.