Gary Steven Kleinman was admitted to the California Bar 15th May 1979, but is now resigned. Gary graduated from San Fernando Valley College of Law.
Lawyer Information
| Name | Gary Steven Kleinman |
|---|---|
| First Admitted | 15 May 1979 (45 years, 12 months ago) |
| Status | Resigned |
| Bar Number | 85232 |
Schools
| Law School | San Fernando Valley College of Law (Woodland Hills CA) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate School | University of California at Los Angeles (CA) |
Address
| Current Address | P O Box 570301 Tarzana, CA 91357 |
|---|---|
| Map |
History
| 17 August 2000 | Resigned (24 years, 8 months ago) Resignation with charges pending 00-Q-10859 |
|---|---|
| 20 March 2000 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (25 years, 1 month ago) Vol.inactive(tender of resign.w/charges) 00-Q-10859 |
| 27 September 1999 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (25 years, 7 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
| 12 August 1998 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (26 years, 9 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 96-O-06363 |
| 21 October 1997 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 97-O-12830 (27 years, 6 months ago) |
| 21 August 1997 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 96-O-06363 (27 years, 8 months ago) |
| 4 February 1996 | Discipline, probation; no actual susp. 94-O-12661 (29 years, 3 months ago) |
| 7 October 1994 | Discipline, probation; no actual susp. 93-H-15039 (30 years, 7 months ago) |
| 14 July 1993 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 93-H-15039 (31 years, 10 months ago) |
| 4 December 1992 | Public reproval with/duties 87-O-18221 (32 years, 5 months ago) |
| 29 May 1991 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 87-O-18221 (33 years, 11 months ago) |
| 15 May 1979 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (45 years, 12 months ago) |
Discipline Summaries
August 12, 1998 GARY STEVEN KLEINMAN [#85232], 45, of Encino was suspended for three years, stayed, placed on three years of probation with an actual one-year suspension and until he makes restitution to three parties and provides an accounting of funds to three others, and proves his rehabilitation. He was ordered to take the MPRE and comply with rule 955. The order took effect Aug. 12, 1998. Kleinman stipulated to misconduct in five client matters.In a personal injury case which he settled for $5,500, Kleinman did not pay his client's medical provider. He also let the balance in his client trust account fall below the required minimum.In another personal injury case, he did not pay his clients their settlement funds for three months; when he did, the settlement check bounced. He did not respond to their requests for information, nor did he provide an accounting of their funds.His failure to maintain his clients' funds in trust amounted to moral turpitude.In another matter, Kleinman was hired to file a creditor's claim in a bankruptcy action. When his clients hired a new lawyer, he did not refund their fee.Kleinman also bounced six checks written against his client trust account.Kleinman has been disciplined by the State Bar on three previous occasions. He was publicly reproved in 1992 for collecting an illegal fee, withdrawing from employment without protecting his clients' interests, and failing to inform the bar of the imposition of sanctions.In 1994, he was placed on probation for failing to comply with the conditions of the public reproval, and in 1996, he was given an additional period of probation for improperly withdrawing from representation.In mitigation, Kleinman has endured a string of bad luck. A bakery he co-owned was destroyed by fire, and his partner took off with the insurance proceeds, leaving Kleinman with the responsibility for personally guaranteed bank loans and creditors. He was forced to file for bankruptcy, and has sued his ex-partner.In addition, his law offices were destroyed in the Northridge earthquake in 1994 and Kleinman was forced to restart his practice and reconstruct his files. As a result, he suffered serious financial reversals.Kleinman's nephew, with whom his family was close, died of leukemia in 1996.February 4, 1996 GARY STEVEN KLEINMAN [#85232], 42, of Encino was suspended for 30 days, stayed, and placed on probation for six months, effective Feb. 4, 1996. Kleinman was hired to represent a client who claimed a medical provider had released his medical records to his employer without his permission. While in the process of arranging for arbitration, Kleinman learned that the client had in fact authorized the release of his medical records. He requested that the client provide him with an explanation, but did not perform any additional work on the case. He did not inform his client that he would no longer represent him and withdrew from the case without taking reasonable steps to protect the future interests of his client. In aggravation, Kleinman received a public reproval in December 1992 and a six-month stayed suspension in October 1994. In mitigation, he cooperated fully with the bar's investigation. |