Ira Sylvester Brackens was admitted to the California Bar 23rd June 1978, but is now resigned. Ira graduated from Golden Gate University SOL.

Lawyer Information

NameIra Sylvester Brackens
First Admitted23 June 1978 (46 years, 10 months ago)
StatusResigned
Bar Number79807

Contact

Phone Number559-233-9000
Fax Number559-233-0361

Schools

Law SchoolGolden Gate University SOL (San Francisco CA)
Undergraduate SchoolSan Francisco State Unv (San Francisco CA)

Address

Current Address1832 Van Ness Ave
Fresno, CA 93721-1133
Map

History

13 May 2004Resigned (20 years, 11 months ago)
Resignation with charges pending 04-Q-11128
23 March 2004Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 1 month ago)
Vol.inactive(tender of resign.w/charges) 04-Q-11128
16 September 2003Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 7 months ago)
Suspended, failed to pay fees
23 February 2003Not eligible to practice law in CA (22 years, 2 months ago)
Discipline w/actual suspension 96-O-06799
28 February 2000Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 96-O-06799 (25 years, 2 months ago)
26 August 1997Active (27 years, 8 months ago)
26 March 1997Not eligible to practice law in CA (28 years, 1 month ago)
Discipline w/actual suspension 94-O-12256
27 April 1995Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 94-O-12256 (30 years ago)
23 June 1978Admitted to the State Bar of California (46 years, 10 months ago)

Discipline Summaries

February 23, 2003

IRA SYLVESTER BRACKENS [#79807], 55, of Fresno was suspended for three years, stayed, placed on four years of probation with an 18-month actual suspension and was ordered to take the MPRE and comply with rule 955. The order took effect Feb. 23, 2003.

Brackens stipulated to three counts of misconduct, but then sought review of a hearing judge's recommendation that he be suspended. Brackens argued that a public reproval would be appropriate.

The review department increased the hearing judge's recommendation of a six-month suspension to an 18-month suspension.

Brackens stipulated that between 1996 and 1998, he wrote at least 177 checks against insufficient funds in his client trust account for personal and non-client related business expenses. He also admitted commingling client and non-client funds.

Although he testified that he assumed there were funds in the trust account when he wrote the checks, the hearing judge found he abdicated his responsibility to control his trust account, which constituted an act of moral turpitude.

Brackens was suspended in 1996 and submitted quarterly probation reports representing under penalty of perjury that he complied with all ethical rules governing his practice. However, he was violating those rules by using his trust account as his personal account. He stipulated that his actions constituted acts of moral turpitude.

In mitigation, Brackens cooperated with the bar's investigation.

March 26, 1997

IRA S. BRACKENS [#79807], 49, of Fresno was suspended for three years, stayed, and placed on three years of probation with an actual five-month suspension. He also was ordered to take the MPRE within one year and comply with rule 955. The order took effect March 26, 1997.

Brackens entered into a partnership with a disbarred attorney, Oscar Luna, and allowed Luna and other non-lawyers to practice law under the aegis of "Ira Brackens & Associates" in Fresno. They maintained separate offices for about 18 months and worked in the same office for six months.

Luna procured clients for the law firm and provided legal services for numerous clients. Brackens paid him in cash and Luna then paid the other non-attorneys and the office overhead. Luna and the others used Brackens' signature stamp on letters, pleadings and other documents.

By his conduct, Brackens permitted misuse of his name as an attorney, aided Luna's unauthorized law practice, maintained a partnership for the practice of law with a non-lawyer, failed to supervise his employees, and committed acts of moral turpitude.

In mitigation, Brackens has not been disciplined since he began practicing in 1978.