Walnut Creek, CA 94595
15 April 2004 | Resigned (21 years, 2 months ago) Resignation with charges pending 04-Q-10531 |
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18 February 2004 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 4 months ago) Vol.inactive(tender of resign.w/charges) 04-Q-10531 |
31 January 2004 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 4 months ago) Ordered inactive 03-N-04535 |
7 June 2003 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (22 years ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 00-O-14348 |
22 May 2002 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 00-O-14348 (23 years, 1 month ago) |
13 January 1976 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (49 years, 5 months ago) |
June 7, 2003 WILLIAM LEO REISER [#67258], 54, of Walnut Creek was suspended for one year, stayed, placed on two years of probation with an actual 30-day suspension and until he makes restitution and was ordered to take the MPRE. If the actual suspension exceeds 90 days, he must comply with rule 955; if it exceeds two years, he must prove his rehabilitation. The order took effect June 7, 2003. Reiser stipulated to misconduct in two cases.Reiser was retained to dissolve a medical corporation for a physician who paid $1,175 in legal fees. He was to prepare and file about a half-dozen documents with the secretary of state and the appropriate governmental authorities. He never did so.About 18 months later, the secretary of state suspended the corporation and six months after that, the Franchise Tax Board notified the doctor it had not received income tax returns for the previous year.Reiser did not return the client's many phone calls, but the staff assured him the matter would be resolved. The doctor's accountant also got nowhere in his attempts to contact Reiser. On two occasions, the doctor was able to speak to Reiser, who assured him he would submit the necessary documentation.He never did so, and the secretary of state suspended the corporate powers of the practice and the tax board sent the doctor of notice of suspension for failing to file tax returns.Reiser stipulated that he failed to perform legal services competently. He also never refunded unearned fees, did not return the doctor's file and did not cooperate with the bar's investigation.In a second case, he wrote 164 checks against his client trust account to pay personal expenses over a nine-month period.In mitigation, Reiser has no record of discipline in 27 years of practice. |