William Patrick Patterson was admitted to the California Bar 1st December 1981, but is now resigned. William graduated from Western State University.

Lawyer Information

NameWilliam Patrick Patterson
First Admitted1 December 1981 (43 years, 5 months ago)
StatusResigned
Bar Number99088

Contact

Current Email[email protected]

Schools

Law SchoolWestern State University (CA)
Undergraduate SchoolWestern State University (CA)

Address

Current Address215 Blue Lake Ln
La Vergne, TN 37086
Map

History

19 February 2005Resigned (20 years, 2 months ago)
Resignation with charges pending 04-Q-15786
20 December 2004Not eligible to practice law in CA (20 years, 4 months ago)
Vol.inactive(tender of resign.w/charges) 04-Q-15789
27 November 2004Not eligible to practice law in CA (20 years, 5 months ago)
Discipline w/actual suspension 01-O-04817
7 October 2004Not eligible to practice law in CA (20 years, 7 months ago)
Ordered inactive 03-N-04539
7 June 2004Not eligible to practice law in CA (20 years, 11 months ago)
Ordered inactive 03-N-04539
23 March 2004Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 03-N-04539 (21 years, 1 month ago)
25 January 2004Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 3 months ago)
Ordered inactive 01-O-04817
27 June 2003Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 01-O-04817 (21 years, 10 months ago)
8 June 2003Not eligible to practice law in CA (21 years, 11 months ago)
Discipline w/actual suspension 00-O-11578
7 April 2002Not eligible to practice law in CA (23 years, 1 month ago)
Ordered inactive 00-O-11578
18 December 2001Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 00-O-11578 (23 years, 4 months ago)
12 July 1996Public reproval with/duties 96-H-00477 (28 years, 10 months ago)
20 March 1996Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 96-H-00477 (29 years, 1 month ago)
20 October 1995Private reproval, public disclosure 95-O-11799 (29 years, 6 months ago)
14 July 1995Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 95-O-11799 (29 years, 10 months ago)
1 December 1981Admitted to the State Bar of California (43 years, 5 months ago)

Discipline Summaries

November 27, 2004

WILLIAM PATRICK PATTERSON [#99088], 50, of LaVergne, Tenn. was suspended for three years, stayed, actually suspended for one year and until he makes restitution and the State Bar Court grants a motion to terminate the suspension, and was ordered to take the MPRE and comply with rule 955. If the actual suspension exceeds two years, he must prove his rehabilitation. The order took effect Nov. 27, 2004.

In a default proceeding, the bar court found that Patterson failed to perform legal services competently or cooperate with the bar’s investigation, improperly withdrew from a case and committed an act of moral turpitude.

He represented a client in an unlawful detainer matter in which the court ordered the parties to complete a mediation before a certain date. Patterson did not produce items listed in a deposition notice, and the night before the scheduled mediation, he canceled without notifying his client. The court set a trial date.

After answers to interrogatories were due, Patterson sent the interrogatories to his client, who promptly answered. The client also corrected the deposition transcript, but Patterson did not provide it or the interrogatories to the opposing counsel. He did not reply to several letters from the other attorney, who filed a motion to compel responses to interrogatories and production of documents, and sought sanctions against Patterson. The motions were granted and the trial was postponed.

Patterson told the client he could not pursue the case because of his father’s ill health. He said he was going to dismiss the case, attempt to get some compensation for the client, promised to refund the advance fee and advised the client to find a new lawyer. He then filed for dismissal without the client’s consent. He never refunded the fee or contacted opposing counsel to seek compensation.

Patterson has been disciplined three times previously. In 2003, he was suspended for failure to perform legal services competently or refund unearned fees. In 1996, he admitted that he failed to comply with probation conditions attached to a 1995 private reproval that was imposed for failure to communicate with clients or refund unearned fees, and he improperly withdrew from employment.

June 8, 2003

WILLIAM PATRICK PATTERSON [#99088], 50, of San Diego was suspended for one year, stayed, actually suspended for 60 days and until he makes restitution and the State Bar Court grants a motion to terminate the suspension and was ordered to take the MPRE. If the actual suspension exceeds 90 days, he must comply with rule 955; if it exceeds two years, he must prove his rehabilitation. The order took effect June 8, 2003.

In a default proceeding, the bar court found that Patterson failed to perform competently and return unearned fees. He was hired to file a lawsuit against his client’s former husband and another individual for breach of contract and fraud claims arising from money she loaned to the ex-husband and later invested with the other person.

The client paid Patterson $1,000 and agreed to a contingency fee as well.

Patterson drafted a complaint but never filed it or did any further work. When the State Bar intervened, he agreed to repay $500 of the advance fee, but he never did so.

Patterson was disciplined twice previously. In 1995, he was privately reproved for failing to perform competently, return unearned fees or communicate with a client. He was subsequently publicly reproved for failing to comply with the terms of the private reproval.