The State Bar of California's Office of Chief Trial Counsel issued the following fraud alert today to warn the public to watch out for and report potential legal fraud in response to the recent reports of immigration raids in the northern part of the state.
The State Bar of California is set to move ahead with a petition to disbar a Southern California lawyer who was charged with bilking tens of thousands of dollars from loan modification clients, and allowing non-attorneys to unlawfully run his practice.
California attorneys who are certified as specialists have taken and passed a written examination in their specialty field, demonstrated a high level of experience in the specialty field, fulfilled ongoing education requirements and been favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with their work.
Only these attorneys can identify themselves as certified specialists in California because they are the only attorneys who are certified either by the California Board of Legal Specialization or by an organization whose certification program has been accredited by the State Bar. Such an organization must have requirements for certification that are at least equal to those of the State Bar's program.
The State Bar of California obtained an order to assume jurisdiction of an unlicensed law practice in the Stockton area that targeted immigrants. The State Bar also reclaimed client files and other records of the office of Yehlen Dorothea Brooks. Brooks defrauded immigrant clients who hired her to represent them in immigration matters, promising to protect them from deportation. Instead, she threatened clients with deportation if they did not continue to pay her. Some clients, including those who paid her based on her assurances that she would protect them, were detained and deported anyway.
What happens if I don’t I get a bar number immediately?
After submitting your completed membership enrollment card, allow one to two weeks for delivery, then check Attorney Search to confirm your enrollment and find your bar number. If you do not see your name on the State Bar website after two weeks from the date you submitted the card, call 888-800-3400 or email AttorneyRegulation@calbar.ca.gov.
