Peter Rind VanPetten was admitted to the California Bar 16th December 1980, but has since been disbarred. Peter graduated from Stanford University Law School.

Lawyer Information

NamePeter Rind VanPetten
First Admitted16 December 1980 (44 years, 6 months ago)
StatusDisbarred
Bar Number94396

Contact

Phone Number310-934-4747

Schools

Law SchoolStanford University Law School (Stanford CA)
Undergraduate SchoolStanford University (Stanford CA)

Address

Current AddressMiller Van Petten et al, 201 Santa Monica Blvd #320
Santa Monica, CA 90401-2212
Map

History

17 August 2000Disbarred (24 years, 10 months ago)
Disbarment 98-O-01068
6 March 2000Not eligible to practice law in CA (25 years, 3 months ago)
Ordered inactive 98-O-01068
27 November 1999Not eligible to practice law in CA (25 years, 6 months ago)
Ordered inactive 98-O-01068
5 October 1999Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 98-O-01068 (25 years, 8 months ago)
6 August 1999Not eligible to practice law in CA (25 years, 10 months ago)
Discipline w/actual suspension 94-O-17965
29 June 1998Not eligible to practice law in CA (26 years, 12 months ago)
Ordered inactive 97-O-17892
11 April 1998Not eligible to practice law in CA (27 years, 2 months ago)
Ordered inactive 97-O-15676
20 March 1998Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 97-O-17892 (27 years, 3 months ago)
3 February 1998Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 97-O-15676 (27 years, 4 months ago)
2 January 1998Not eligible to practice law in CA (27 years, 5 months ago)
Ordered inactive 94-O-17965
21 August 1997Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 94-O-17965 (27 years, 10 months ago)
16 December 1980Admitted to the State Bar of California (44 years, 6 months ago)

Discipline Summaries

August 17, 2000

PETER RIND VAN PETTEN [#94396], 48, of Santa Monica was disbarred Aug. 17, 2000, and was ordered to comply with rule 955.

In a default proceeding, the State Bar Court found that Van Petten misappropriated client funds, did not pay settlement funds to medical providers, allowed the balance in his client trust account to fall below the required amount and did not respond to his client’s requests for information. He also did not cooperate with the bar’s investigation of his actions.

Van Petten had settled a personal injury matter for $50,000 in 1996, ultimately giving his client $22,801. He paid the client’s medical bills with his own funds and misappropriated $23,333.49 from the client.

Van Petten was disciplined in 1999 in another default proceeding.

August 6, 1999

PETER RIND VAN PETTEN [#94396], 47, of Santa Monica was suspended for two years, stayed, placed on two years of probation with a 90-day actual suspension, and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year and comply with rule 955. The order took effect Aug. 6, 1999.

In a personal injury matter, Van Petten did not communicate with his clients. They complained three separate times; after the first two complaints, he promised to work on their case. He did not respond to the third complaint.

In another personal injury matter, Van Petten did not pay a medical lien for more than a year, and then only after being contacted by the State Bar. He told the doctor that his client was responsible for paying the bill, despite the medical lien.

After taking over representation of the plaintiff in another case, Van Petten failed to file a proof of service and when he failed to appear at a hearing, was ordered to pay sanctions. He did not appear at four more hearings or comply with sanctions orders and the case was dismissed.

He failed to provide legal services and improperly withdrew from representation.

Van Petten abandoned another personal injury case; he did not respond to his client's requests for status reports, failed to return her file, did not attend a hearing, and paid a filing fee and sanctions late.

He did not cooperate with the bar's investigation of three matters.

In mitigation, Van Petten has no record of discipline in his 18 years as an attorney.