William Joseph Hamilton was admitted to the California Bar 30th May 1980, but has since been disbarred. William graduated from Southwestern University SOL.
Lawyer Information
| Name | William Joseph Hamilton |
|---|---|
| First Admitted | 30 May 1980 (45 years ago) |
| Status | Disbarred |
| Bar Number | 92688 |
Contact
| Current Email | [email protected] |
|---|---|
| Phone Number | 310-264-5999 |
| Fax Number | 310-264-5999 |
Schools
| Law School | Southwestern University SOL (Los Angeles CA) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate School | Dartmouth Coll (Hanover NH) |
Address
| Current Address | 1311 19th St Apt 2 Santa Monica, CA 90404 |
|---|---|
| Map |
History
| 10 May 2013 | Disbarred (12 years, 1 month ago) Disbarment 11-O-17408 |
|---|---|
| 1 October 2012 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (12 years, 8 months ago) Ordered inactive 11-O-17408 |
| 19 April 2012 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 11-O-17408 (13 years, 2 months ago) |
| 22 December 2004 | Active (20 years, 6 months ago) |
| 6 September 2001 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (23 years, 9 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 99-O-11189 |
| 23 December 1999 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 99-O-11189 (25 years, 6 months ago) |
| 24 November 1999 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 99-O-11628 (25 years, 7 months ago) |
| 13 May 1999 | Active (26 years, 1 month ago) |
| 12 September 1998 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (26 years, 9 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 96-O-07310 |
| 24 October 1997 | Active (27 years, 8 months ago) |
| 20 August 1997 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (27 years, 10 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 95-O-11881 |
| 19 June 1997 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 96-O-07310 (28 years ago) |
| 4 March 1997 | Active (28 years, 3 months ago) |
| 20 January 1997 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (28 years, 5 months ago) |
| 26 June 1995 | Active (29 years, 12 months ago) |
| 25 June 1995 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (29 years, 12 months ago) Ordered inactive 95-O-11881 |
| 28 April 1995 | Discipline, probation; no actual susp. 92-O-20164 (30 years, 1 month ago) |
| 21 April 1995 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 95-O-11881 (30 years, 2 months ago) |
| 10 May 1994 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 93-O-16787 (31 years, 1 month ago) |
| 29 October 1993 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 92-O-20164 (31 years, 7 months ago) |
| 22 October 1993 | Discipline, probation; no actual susp. 91-O-08763 (31 years, 8 months ago) |
| 23 November 1992 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 92-O-15117 (32 years, 7 months ago) |
| 30 June 1992 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 91-O-08763 (32 years, 11 months ago) |
| 30 May 1980 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (45 years ago) |
Discipline Summaries
May 10, 2013 WILLIAM JOSEPH HAMILTON [#92688], 64, of Santa Monica was disbarred May 10, 2013, and was ordered to comply with rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court. The State Bar Court found Hamilton culpable of misconduct in a single client matter, failing to avoid interests adverse to a client. Hamilton took an oil painting as payment to represent a client in a trust dispute matter but did not disclose the terms of the transaction in writing in a reasonably understandable manner, did not advise the client she had the right to seek the advice of an independent lawyer or give her the opportunity to seek that advice.Hamilton had five prior disciplines including a 2001 suspension for engaging in the unauthorized practice of law and failing to comply with the terms of a disciplinary probation. Before that, in 1998, he was suspended for failing to promptly return part of an unearned fee.September 6, 2001 WILLIAM JOSEPH HAMILTON [#92688], 52, of West Los Angeles was suspended for three years, stayed, placed on three years of probation with an actual 18-month suspension, and was ordered to take the MPRE and comply with rule 955. The order took effect Sept. 6, 2001. Hamilton stipulated to misconduct in three cases.He made six courts appearances in a criminal case while suspended from practice. He also did not comply with the probation conditions attached to the discipline — he failed to file three quarterly reports or three affidavits certifying continued enrollment in the bar’s law office management and technology section.Hamilton also failed to comply with probation conditions attached to another discipline; he did not complete ethics school by the required deadline.In mitigation, Hamilton was under severe financial stress at the time, he demonstrated remorse and cooperated with the bar’s investigation and no clients were harmed by his actions.August 20, 1997 WILLIAM JOSEPH HAMILTON [#92688], 48, of Santa Monica was suspended for two years, stayed, placed on two years of probation with an actual 60-day suspension and until he makes restitution, and was ordered to take the MPRE. If the actual suspension exceeds two years, he must prove his rehabilitation; if it exceeds 90 days, he must comply with rule 955. The order took effect Aug. 20, 1997. As part of a 1994 disciplinary probation, Hamilton was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $853.48 to a client. His check bounced. The State Bar Court found that Hamilton was grossly negligent in his office practices and "this situation was directly responsible for the issuance of an insufficient funds check." The check was drawn against Hamilton’s law office account as restitution to a former client required by a 1994 discipline order. He admitted to a cash flow problem since 1982. Hamilton has a record of prior discipline: in 1993, he was suspended for practicing law while on suspension for non-payment of bar dues, and in 1995, he was suspended for misconduct in three client matters, including failure to perform, communicate with a client, and advise a client to seek independent legal counsel. |