San Francisco, CA 94118-1705
14 February 2005 | Active (20 years, 4 months ago) |
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27 November 2004 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (20 years, 6 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 03-O-03935 |
18 December 1975 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (49 years, 6 months ago) |
November 27, 2004 ROBERT PHILIP SPRAGUE [#67647], 55, of San Francisco was suspended for two years, stayed, placed on two years of probation with an actual 60-day suspension and until he proves his rehabilitation, and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year. The order took effect Nov. 27, 2004. Sprague stipulated that in a personal injury matter, he failed to promptly pay his client’s doctor, keep accurate records of client funds in trust or keep his client informed about developments in her case, and he committed an act of moral turpitude by misappropriating client funds.Sprague deposited two settlement checks in his client trust account, paid his client some funds (but not all she was owed) and negotiated a reduced payment to her doctor. However, the doctor was not paid, and the client was unable to contact Sprague because he changed his phone number without notifying her.Sprague allowed the balance in his trust account to fall below the required amount.He admitted that he was grossly negligent in managing his trust account and made restitution to his client.In mitigation, Sprague has no prior record of discipline and he demonstrated remorse and cooperated with the bar’s investigation. |