Steve I. Kaplan is an active member of the California Bar and was admitted 22nd December 1976. Steve graduated from Western State University.
Lawyer Information
| Name | Steve I. Kaplan |
|---|---|
| First Admitted | 22 December 1976 (48 years, 4 months ago) |
| Status | Active |
| Bar Number | 71418 |
Contact
| Current Email | [email protected] |
|---|---|
| Phone Number | 818-321-9575 |
| Fax Number | 818-377-7401 |
Schools
| Law School | Western State University (CA) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate School | University of California at Los Angeles (CA) |
Address
| Current Address | Law Office of Steve Kaplan, 16130 Ventura Blvd, Ste 140 Encino, CA 91436-2582 |
|---|---|
| Map | |
| Previous Address | 16133 Ventura Blvd Suite 700 Encino, CA 91436 |
| Previous Address | 16133 Ventura Blvd, Suite 700 Encino, CA 91436 |
| Previous Address | 16133 Ventura Blvd, Ste 700 Encino, CA 91436-2406 |
History
| 22 July 2010 | Active (14 years, 9 months ago) |
|---|---|
| 1 July 2009 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (15 years, 10 months ago) Admin Inactive/MCLE noncompliance |
| 16 August 2007 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (17 years, 8 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
| 10 January 2007 | Active (18 years, 3 months ago) |
| 17 November 2006 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (18 years, 5 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 04-C-14939 |
| 10 April 2006 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (19 years ago) Interim suspension after conviction 04-C-14939 |
| 4 January 2006 | Conviction record transmitted to State Bar Court 04-C-14939 (19 years, 4 months ago) |
| 20 May 2004 | Active (20 years, 11 months ago) |
| 8 March 2004 | Inactive (21 years, 1 month ago) |
| 4 September 2002 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (22 years, 8 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
| 3 September 2002 | Inactive (22 years, 8 months ago) |
| 3 December 2001 | Active (23 years, 5 months ago) |
| 1 January 1993 | Inactive (32 years, 4 months ago) |
| 22 December 1976 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (48 years, 4 months ago) |
Discipline Summaries
November 17, 2006 STEVE I. KAPLAN [#71418], 57, of Manhattan Beach was suspended for two years, stayed, placed on two years of probation with a nine-month actual suspension and was ordered to take the MPRE, comply with rule 955 and prove his rehabilitation. Credit toward the actual suspension was given for a period of interim suspension that began April 10, 2006. The order took effect Nov. 17, 2006. Kaplan stipulated to misconduct in three matters.In 1999, Kaplan’s real estate development company suffered financial setbacks and he dissolved the company, later filing for bankruptcy. He failed to pay bar dues and was not entitled to practice for 18 months.During that time, he was hired to handle an unlawful detainer action, but failed to follow through and a default judgment was entered against his client. Kaplan also did not respond to his client’s phone calls, so the client reported him to law enforcement. Kaplan was arrested and charged with grand theft and unlawful legal practice, both misdemeanors, to which he pleaded guilty. The client also sued him for malpractice, and Kaplan agreed to pay him more than $30,000, an amount he paid.He stipulated that the criminal conduct involved moral turpitude.In a second matter, Kaplan was to process documents with the city of Los Angeles to convert an apartment complex to condominiums. He was to notify the tenants of the conversion in writing as well as submit the conversion application to the city.The client provided $7,400 in checks payable to the city for the application fee and paid another $5,000 as his legal fee.After a year, when Kaplan had not filed anything or communicated with the client, the client complained to the State Bar. Kaplan apologized to the client and refunded his legal fee.In the third matter, Kaplan was retained to seek a variance from the city of Manhattan Beach regarding adjoining properties. He didn’t file the application or respond to his clients’ inquiries and after six months, he was fired. The clients received a fee refund and their file only after complaining to the bar.He stipulated in two matters that he failed to perform legal services competently, respond to his client’s status inquiries or refund unearned fees.In mitigation, Kaplan has no prior discipline record, he presented strong character references and he said his business and financial setbacks led to depression, for which he is treated intermittently.April 10, 2006 STEVE I. KAPLAN [#71418], 56, of Manhattan Beach was placed on interim suspension April 10, 2006, following a conviction for grand theft. He was ordered to comply with rule 955. |