Dennis Reid Hoptowit was admitted to the California Bar 18th December 1974, but has since been disbarred. Dennis graduated from Stanford University Law School.
Lawyer Information
| Name | Dennis Reid Hoptowit |
|---|---|
| First Admitted | 18 December 1974 (49 years, 4 months ago) |
| Status | Disbarred |
| Bar Number | 61544 |
Contact
| Phone Number | 530-893-0624 |
|---|---|
| Fax Number | 530-893-0768 |
Schools
| Law School | Stanford University Law School (Stanford CA) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate School | Eastern Montana Coll (Billings MT) |
Address
| Current Address | PO Box 3337 Chico, CA 95927 |
|---|---|
| Map |
History
| 10 May 2013 | Disbarred (10 years, 11 months ago) Disbarment 11-O-14076 |
|---|---|
| 3 December 2012 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (11 years, 5 months ago) Ordered inactive 11-O-14076 |
| 29 October 2012 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (11 years, 6 months ago) Suspended, failed to pass Prof.Resp.Exam 10-C-01320 |
| 12 July 2012 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (11 years, 9 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 12-PM-10255 |
| 3 July 2012 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (11 years, 10 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
| 10 March 2012 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (12 years, 1 month ago) Ordered inactive 12-PM-10255 |
| 3 February 2012 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (12 years, 2 months ago) Ordered inactive 11-O-14076 |
| 30 December 2011 | Active (12 years, 4 months ago) |
| 16 December 2011 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 11-O-14076 (12 years, 4 months ago) |
| 30 September 2011 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (12 years, 7 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 10-C-01302 |
| 20 July 2010 | Conviction record transmitted to State Bar Court 10-C-01302 (13 years, 9 months ago) |
| 4 November 1999 | Discipline, probation; no actual susp. 97-C-13772 (24 years, 6 months ago) |
| 13 May 1999 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 97-O-14919 (24 years, 11 months ago) |
| 2 October 1997 | Conviction record transmitted to State Bar Court 97-C-13772 (26 years, 7 months ago) |
| 18 December 1974 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (49 years, 4 months ago) |
Discipline Summaries
May 10, 2013 DENNIS REID HOPTOWIT [#61544], 66, of Chico was disbarred May 10, 2013, and was ordered to comply with rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court. Hoptowit’s default was entered in 2012 after he did not respond to charges that he failed to release a client file and failed to participate in a disciplinary investigation. Under rule 5.85 of the State Bar’s Rules of Procedure, the State bar will file a petition requesting the court recommend disbarment when an attorney fails to have default set aside or vacated within 180 days. The charges are also deemed admitted.Hoptowit had been disciplined on three prior occasions. In 2012, his probation was revoked after he violated the terms of a 2011 disciplinary order. In the 2011 case, Hoptowit failed to return client files or cooperate with the bar's investigation, commingled personal funds in trust, and he was convicted of driving under the influence. He also was disciplined in 1999 for commingling personal funds in trust, failing to deposit client funds in a trust account or communicate with a client, and he pleaded no contest to driving under the influence with a prior conviction.July 12, 2012 The probation of DENNIS REID HOPTOWIT, 66, of Chico was revoked, the previous stay of suspension was lifted, and he was suspended for two years and until he proves his rehabilitation. He was ordered to comply with rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court. The order took effect July 12, 2012. Hoptowit violated the terms of a 2011 disciplinary order by failing to contact the State Bar’s probation office, submit one quarterly probation report, submit proof of attendance at AA meetings or the results of blood or urine tests, and he did not provide access to his medical records.The underlying discipline was imposed for Hoptowit’s failure to return client files, deposit client funds in a trust account or cooperate with the bar’s investigation, and he was convicted of driving under the influence. He also was disciplined in 1999 for failing to deposit client funds in a trust account or communicate with a client, and he pleaded no contest to driving under the influence with a previous conviction.He did not participate in the probation revocation proceeding.September 30, 2011 DENNIS REID HOPTOWIT, 65, of Chico was suspended for two years, stayed, placed on two years of probation with a 90-day actual suspension and he was ordered to take the MPRE and comply with rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court. The order took effect Sept. 30, 2011. Hoptowit stipulated to misconduct in four matters. He commingled funds in his client trust account, using it to pay personal expenses and he overdrew the account. In two matters in which he represented criminal defendants, he didn’t return client files or forward them to their new lawyers.Hoptowit also pleaded no contest in 2010 to a misdemeanor DUI. He was disciplined in 1999 for failing to deposit client funds in a trust account.November 4, 1999 DENNIS REID HOPTOWIT [#61544], 53, of Chico was suspended for 90 days, stayed, placed on one year of probation, and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year. The order took effect Nov. 4, 1999. In 1997, Hoptowit pleaded no contest to driving under the influence with a prior conviction, after he was arrested with a blood alcohol level of .18. His conduct did not constitute moral turpitude but did warrant discipline.In a second case, Hoptowit represented a client who pleaded no contest to drunken driving and was ordered to pay a $1,240 fine. The client was to give partial payments to Hoptowit, who was to forward the money to the court. Hoptowit did not deposit two checks from the client in his client trust account, and he commingled personal and client funds in the account. When he did not return his client’s phone calls, the client sent payment of his fine directly to the court. On the deadline for final payment, Hoptowit determined the client still owed $195, so Hoptowit paid the balance in cash. Hoptowit stipulated that he commingled funds, failed to deposit client funds in the trust account, and failed to communicate with a client.In mitigation, he has no prior record of discipline and he cooperated with the bar’s investigation. |