Newport Beach, CA 92658
12 September 2014 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (10 years, 7 months ago) Ordered inactive |
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1 July 2014 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (10 years, 10 months ago) Admin Inactive/MCLE noncompliance |
2 July 2013 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (11 years, 10 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
22 October 2012 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (12 years, 6 months ago) Suspended, failed to pass Prof.Resp.Exam 08-O-10426 |
31 August 2012 | Active (12 years, 8 months ago) |
3 July 2012 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (12 years, 10 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
21 February 2012 | Active (13 years, 2 months ago) |
21 August 2011 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (13 years, 8 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 08-O-10426 |
30 May 1980 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (44 years, 11 months ago) |
August 21, 2011 MARK SCOTT ROBERTS [#92880], 60, of Newport Beach was suspended for two years, stayed, placed on two years of probation with a six-month actual suspension and he was ordered to take the MPRE within one year and comply with rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court. The order took effect Aug. 21, 2011. Roberts stipulated to eight counts of misconduct in three trust matters. In two of the matters, he failed to perform the services for which he was hired and his delayed responses to client inquiries forced the clients to hire new lawyers. He also did not account for client funds.Roberts cancelled two meetings with a client who paid a $7,500 advance fee, and did not refund the unearned fee or give the client’s file to the new lawyer. A second client paid Roberts $8,500 before learning she had only to obtain her mother’s death certificate to transfer her mother’s assets into her name and Roberts’ services were unnecessary.The third client, who paid a $10,000 advance fee, also loaned Roberts $25,000, although he asked for $40,000. He did not advise the client in writing to seek independent counsel about the loan. At the time of the stipulation, Roberts had repaid $1,062.In mitigation, Roberts had no prior discipline record, cooperated with the bar’s investigation, was under severe financial stress due to a downturn in his business, family members had serious health problems and Roberts was going through a divorce after 27 years of marriage. |