Oklahoma City, OK 73125-8829
7 June 2003 | Discipline, probation; no actual susp. 01-O-00611 (21 years, 11 months ago) |
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17 July 2002 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 01-O-00611 (22 years, 9 months ago) |
28 January 1987 | Active (38 years, 3 months ago) |
29 September 1986 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (38 years, 7 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
21 December 1977 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (47 years, 4 months ago) |
June 7, 2003 JAMES J. BRAZE [#75911], 57, of San Francisco was suspended for one year, stayed, placed on one year of probation and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year. The order took effect June 7, 2003. Braze stipulated to three counts of misconduct.He and his partner were retained to represent a client in an appellate matter in 1994.In 1999, the client became delusional (she had stopped taking medication for paranoid schizophrenia) and told Braze that she no longer wanted to pursue the appeal. The client disappeared.Several months later, Braze and his partner filed a notice of appeal. During a conversation with the client a few months later, the partner said the client was delusional.Two months after that, Braze filed a motion seeking an extension to file the appellate brief and marked a box on the form indicating the client was aware of the request. In fact, she was not.Braze filed another motion for extension, again checking the box indicating the client was aware of his actions. Both petitions also stated that opposing counsel could not be reached.Opposing counsel filed a motion to dismiss the appeal and deny any time extension. The motion to extend time was denied.Braze’s partner attempted an ex-parte communication with the court revealing that the client was suffering from a schizophrenic episode and could not assist in filing the appeal. The appeal was dismissed two weeks later. The court imposed sanctions in the amount of $2,400 against Braze.Braze stipulated that he misled the court by making false statements, failed to perform legal services competently by not insuring that his staff had attempted to reach opposing counsel, and failed to report sanctions to the State Bar.In mitigation, he has no record of discipline in 25 years of practice, he cooperated with the bar’s investigation and he had a good faith belief that if he disclosed his client’s medical condition to the court it could be prejudicial to her case. |