Leon Jacob Atlas was admitted to the California Bar 29th May 1981, but has since been disbarred. Leon graduated from Golden Gate University SOL.
Lawyer Information
| Name | Leon Jacob Atlas |
|---|---|
| First Admitted | 29 May 1981 (42 years, 11 months ago) |
| Status | Disbarred |
| Bar Number | 98008 |
Contact
| Phone Number | 415-861-5005 |
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Schools
| Law School | Golden Gate University SOL (San Francisco CA) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate School | University of California Berkeley (Berkeley CA) |
Address
| Current Address | P O Box 210296 San Francisco, CA 94121-0296 |
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| Map |
History
| 3 June 1998 | Disbarred (25 years, 11 months ago) Disbarment 97-N-13461 |
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| 27 September 1997 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (26 years, 7 months ago) Ordered inactive 97-N-13461 |
| 20 June 1997 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 97-N-13461 (26 years, 10 months ago) |
| 13 April 1997 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (27 years ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 93-O-11396 |
| 28 February 1997 | Discipline, probation; no actual susp. 96-PM-01675 (27 years, 2 months ago) |
| 9 September 1996 | Active (27 years, 8 months ago) |
| 12 August 1996 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (27 years, 8 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
| 14 February 1996 | Active (28 years, 2 months ago) |
| 29 January 1996 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (28 years, 3 months ago) Admin Inactive/MCLE noncompliance |
| 31 October 1995 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 95-O-14720 (28 years, 6 months ago) |
| 16 September 1995 | Discipline, probation; no actual susp. 92-O-11635 (28 years, 7 months ago) |
| 22 June 1995 | Active (28 years, 10 months ago) |
| 3 May 1995 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (29 years ago) Ordered inactive 93-O-11396 |
| 28 February 1995 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 93-O-11396 (29 years, 2 months ago) |
| 26 November 1994 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (29 years, 5 months ago) Ordered inactive 92-O-11635 |
| 1 September 1994 | Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 92-O-11635 (29 years, 8 months ago) |
| 3 September 1987 | Active (36 years, 8 months ago) |
| 29 September 1986 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (37 years, 7 months ago) Suspended, failed to pay fees |
| 29 May 1981 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (42 years, 11 months ago) |
Discipline Summaries
June 3, 1998 LEON JACOB ATLAS [#98008], 53, of San Francisco was disbarred June 3, 1998, and ordered to comply with rule 955 of the California Rules of Court. Atlas' disbarment stemmed from his failure to comply with rule 955, a requirement of an April 1997 discipline order.At that time, Atlas stipulated that he engaged in the unauthorized practice of law in seven client matters after he was involuntarily enrolled inactive. He also failed to notify a client of the receipt of $843 and misappropriated the funds. He received a two-year stayed suspension with a six-month actual suspension.In another disciplinary order, Atlas stipulated to violating his probation by not attending a course in law office management within six months and filing a late probation report.In a 1995 order, he was found culpable of misconduct in two client matters.No mitigating circumstances were presented and his prior record of discipline was considered an aggravating factor.“[Atlas] has disregarded the Supreme Court and the State Bar Court and their attempts to fulfill their responsibility to oversee the practice of law in California,†wrote the bar's hearing judge in his decision.April 13, 1997 LEON JACOB ATLAS [#98008], 52, of San Francisco was suspended for two years, stayed, placed on two years of probation with a six-month actual suspension, and was ordered to comply with rule 955. The order took effect April 13, 1997. Atlas stipulated to misconduct in two matters. In the first, a personal injury case, he did not notify his client of his receipt of settlement money, did not pay out the funds, misappropriated settlement funds and did not cooperate with the bar's investigation. In the second matter, he practiced law while involuntarily enrolled inactive. In mitigation, Atlas' life was seriously disrupted by a child custody dispute in which he lost all contact with his daughter. He received psychiatric counseling and has recovered. In aggravation, he has a prior disciplinary record.February 28, 1997 LEON JACOB ATLAS [#98008], 52, of San Francisco was suspended for six months, stayed, and placed on probation until Sept. 16, 1998. The order took effect Feb. 28, 1997. Atlas negotiated his client's settlement check issued in a personal injury matter without the client's endorsement or signature, did not notify the client that he received the money, did not place the money in a trust account and did not pay the client's portion of the settlement for six months. Atlas misappropriated these funds for his own use and benefit. He also did not cooperate with the bar's investigation of the case. Atlas was placed on involuntary inactive status for two separate periods, but practiced law during that time, filing complaints for five clients. He also held himself out as an attorney entitled to practice law in a sixth case. Atlas has a prior record of discipline, having been placed on probation and given a stayed suspension in 1995. In that matter, he failed to perform legal services competently, communicate with clients, obtain written consent to a potential conflict of interest, and return client papers and property. In mitigation, Atlas suffered severe stress as a result of a child custody battle with his ex-wife, who had severed all contacts with him. He received counseling and has recovered. |