William Stephen Bonnheim was admitted to the California Bar 24th June 1976, but has since been disbarred. William graduated from U of San Francisco SOL.
Lawyer Information
| Name | William Stephen Bonnheim |
|---|---|
| First Admitted | 24 June 1976 (48 years, 10 months ago) |
| Status | Disbarred |
| Bar Number | 68693 |
Contact
| Current Email | [email protected] |
|---|---|
| Phone Number | 760-408-0812 |
| Fax Number | 760-772-9690 |
Schools
| Law School | U of San Francisco SOL (San Francisco CA) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate School | University of California Berkeley (Berkeley CA) |
Address
| Current Address | William S Bonnheim, 77-700 Enfield Ln Ste C-1 Palm Desert, CA 92211 |
|---|---|
| Map |
History
| 16 October 2014 | Disbarred (10 years, 6 months ago) Disbarment 13-O-13509 |
|---|---|
| 1 July 2014 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (10 years, 10 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
| 9 May 2014 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (10 years, 12 months ago) Ordered inactive 13-O-13509 |
| 13 December 2013 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 13-O-13509 (11 years, 4 months ago) |
| 9 October 2011 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (13 years, 6 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 08-O-12673 |
| 18 November 2010 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 08-O-12673 (14 years, 5 months ago) |
| 28 August 1995 | Active (29 years, 8 months ago) |
| 31 July 1995 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (29 years, 9 months ago) Admin Inactive/MCLE noncompliance |
| 19 August 1993 | Active (31 years, 8 months ago) |
| 16 August 1993 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (31 years, 8 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
| 24 June 1976 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (48 years, 10 months ago) |
Discipline Summaries
October 16, 2014 WILLIAM STEPHEN BONNHEIM [#68693], 68, of Palm Desert, was disbarred Oct. 16, 2014 and ordered to comply with rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court. Bonnheim stipulated to holding himself out as entitled to practice law when he was suspended, committing acts involving moral turpitude and failing to comply with the conditions of his disciplinary probation.In July 2012, Bonnheim agreed to represent a retired doctor in disputes he had with his stockbroker and insurer even though Bonnheim was suspended from the practice of law at the time. Bonnheim did not tell the client about his suspension, nor did he inform the insurer when he was negotiating the terms of a settlement on the client’s behalf.While representing the client, Bonnheim submitted four quarterly reports to probation falsely stating that he had complied with the terms of his probation. Bonnheim failed to submit three other reports altogether.Bonnheim received some mitigation for entering into a pretrial stipulation with the State Bar.Bonnheim’s one prior record of discipline was a 2011 suspension for the misappropriation of $63,304.10 of settlement funds held on behalf of a client.October 8, 2011 WILLIAM STEPHEN BONNHEIM [#], 65, of Palm Desert was suspended for three years, stayed, placed on four years of probation with an actual two-year suspension and until he proves his rehabilitation, and he was ordered to take the MPRE and comply with rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court. The order took effect Oct. 8, 2011. Bonnheim stipulated that by failing to properly supervise his bookkeeper, he misappropriated at least $63,304.10 in settlement funds and failed to maintain that amount in his client trust account. His clients had accepted a $90,000 settlement in a securities claim, but they later complained the settlement was too low and asked Bonnheim to reduce his fee to 20 percent. Bonnheim’s office responded that he not only would not lower his fee, he was entitled to a higher fee under the fee agreement. He also told his clients they had a right to arbitrate the fee.After Bonnheim deposited the settlement check in his client trust account, the clients asked for their portion of the $90,000, less a 20 percent fee. Bonnheim did not send them any money, the balance in his trust account dropped to $8,695 and the clients asked for fee arbitration. Bonnheim put more money in his trust account and gave the clients a check for $54,000. A fee arbitrator awarded them another $6,000, which Bonnheim paid. He fired the bookkeeper.By failing to supervise her and allowing the balance in his trust account to fall below the required amount, Bonnheim admitted to misappropriation, an act of moral turpitude.In mitigation, he had no discipline record in more than 32 years of practice, he cooperated with the bar’s investigation, made full restitution and at the time of the misconduct was a newly sober alcoholic whose status was responsible for the misconduct. |