Richard James Cooper was admitted to the California Bar 29th November 1979, but has since been disbarred. Richard graduated from Santa Clara University SOL.
Lawyer Information
| Name | Richard James Cooper |
|---|---|
| First Admitted | 29 November 1979 (44 years, 5 months ago) |
| Status | Disbarred |
| Bar Number | 88156 |
Contact
| Phone Number | 408-554-0810 |
|---|
Schools
| Law School | Santa Clara University SOL (Santa Clara CA) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate School | San Jose State University (San Jose CA) |
Address
| Current Address | 5300 Stevens Creek Bl #300 San Jose, CA 95129-1091 |
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| Map |
History
| 19 August 2001 | Disbarred (22 years, 8 months ago) Disbarment 00-N-13145 |
|---|---|
| 10 March 2001 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (23 years, 1 month ago) Ordered inactive 00-N-13145 |
| 23 December 2000 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (23 years, 4 months ago) Ordered inactive 00-N-13145 |
| 4 October 2000 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 00-N-13145 (23 years, 6 months ago) |
| 21 June 2000 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (23 years, 10 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 97-O-16796 |
| 25 November 1999 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (24 years, 5 months ago) Ordered inactive 97-O-16796 |
| 29 September 1999 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 97-O-16796 (24 years, 7 months ago) |
| 21 July 1997 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (26 years, 9 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
| 29 November 1979 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (44 years, 5 months ago) |
Discipline Summaries
August 19, 2001 RICHARD JAMES COOPER [#88156], 49, of San Jose was disbarred Aug. 19, 2001, and ordered to comply with rule 955. Cooper’s disbarment came following a default proceeding in which the bar court found he failed to comply with rule 955, as ordered in an earlier disciplinary matter.The underlying discipline was the result of a failure to perform legal services competently, return unearned fees or maintain a current address with the bar. Cooper also practiced law while suspended and committed acts of moral turpitude.Cooper was hired in 1997 to handle a name change for a client’s adult stepson and a minor for whom the client was the legal guardian. Although he prepared the papers and had the client sign them, he did not file the petition or obtain the consent of the natural parents of the minor about the name change.Cooper subsequently was suspended from practice for not paying his bar dues.He told the client a hearing on the name change was scheduled and said he would arrange for the minor child’s mother to agree to the name change. In fact, no hearing was scheduled. Cooper then told the client that the child’s parents’ consent was not necessary.When the client learned the petition had not been filed and a hearing was never scheduled, he fired Cooper and asked for a refund of the $1,750 fee he had paid. When no refund was forthcoming, the client was awarded a judgment against Cooper for $1,750. It was not paid.In mitigation, Cooper has no record of discipline in 17 years of practice.June 21, 2000 RICHARD JAMES COOPER [#88156], 48, of San Jose was suspended for six months, until he makes restitution and until the State Bar Court grants a motion to terminate the suspension. If the suspension exceeds two years, he must prove his rehabilitation. He also was ordered to take the MPRE and comply with rule 955. The order took effect June 21, 2000. In a default proceeding, the bar court found that Cooper failed to perform legal services competently, return unearned fees or maintain a current address with the bar. He also practiced law while suspended and committed acts of moral turpitude.Cooper was hired in 1997 to handle a name change for a client’s adult stepson and a minor for whom the client was the legal guardian. Although he prepared the papers and had the client sign them, he did not file the petition or obtain the consent of the natural parents of the minor about the name change.Cooper subsequently was suspended from practice for not paying his bar dues.He told the client a hearing on the name changes was scheduled and said he would arrange for the minor child’s mother to agree to the name change. In fact, no hearing was scheduled. He then told the client that the child’s parents’ consent was not necessary.When the client learned the petition had not been filed and a hearing was never scheduled, he fired Cooper and asked for a refund of the $1,750 fee he had paid. When no refund was forthcoming, the client was awarded a judgment against Cooper for $1,750. It was not paid.In mitigation, Cooper has no record of discipline in 17 years of practice. |