CURTIS A. SCOTT [#144352], 48, of Anderson
was disbarred Oct. 22, 1999, and was ordered to comply with rule 955 of the California
Rules of Court.
In a default proceeding, the State Bar Court found that Scott
committed multiple acts of misconduct, including abandoning a client, failing to return
unearned fees and communicate with clients, writing bad checks and failing to cooperate
with the bar’s investigation.
He twice asked clients for personal loans without advising them to
seek independent legal counsel or obtaining the clients’ written consent to the
transaction. In both cases, he deceived the clients by falsely telling them he was
entitled to statutory fees in legal proceedings. He also indicated the loans were secured
when they were not.
Scott also mishandled his client trust account, writing 73 checks of
more than $6,500 for personal expenses. Two were written against insufficient funds.
In one matter, Scott was hired to draft a will, prepare a declaration
of homestead and draft two documents creating life estates for his client. He did not do
the work, answer his client’s phone calls or return unearned fees. In fact, he moved
his office without notifying the client.
In mitigation, he has no record of discipline since his 1989
admission to the bar.
State
Bar Court Judge Nancy Roberts Lonsdale said she saw no alternative to disbarment. “The
misconduct involves serious financial impropriety and dishonesty,” Lonsdale wrote.
“There is nothing to assure the court that such improprieties will not be repeated.” |
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