State Bar Court of California
Hearing Department
STIPULATION RE FACTS, CONCLUSIONS OF
LAW AND DISPOSITION AND ORDER APPROVING
STAYED SUSPENSION; NO ACTUAL
SUSPENSION
Case Number(s): 11-O-11135
In the Matter of: Patrick Lee Lund, 755 W. 17th Street, Ste
A, Costa Mesa, CA 92627, 949-250-4230, Bar # 86371, A Member of the State Bar
of California, (Respondent).
Counsel For The State Bar: Anthony J. Garcia, Deputy Trial
Counsel, 1149 South Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015, 213-765-1089, Bar#
171419
Counsel for Respondent: Thomas Saltarelli, PO Box 10367, Newport
Beach, CA 92658, 949-833-9200, Bar # 97889
Submitted to: Assigned Judge – State Bar Court Clerk’s
Office Los Angeles.
Filed: May 24, 2012.
<<not>> checked. PREVIOUS STIPULATION
REJECTED
Note: All
information required by this form and any additional information which cannot
be provided in the space provided, must be set forth in an attachment to this
stipulation under specific headings, e.g., "Facts,"
"Dismissals," "Conclusions of Law," "Supporting
Authority," etc.
A. Parties' Acknowledgments:
1.
Respondent is a member of the State Bar of California, admitted May 31,
1979.
2.
The parties agree to be bound by the factual stipulations contained
herein even if conclusions of law or disposition are rejected or changed by the
Supreme Court.
3.
All investigations or proceedings listed by case number in the caption
of this stipulation are entirely resolved by this stipulation and are deemed
consolidated. Dismissed charge(s)/count(s) are listed under
"Dismissals." The stipulation consists of 6 pages, not
including the order.
4.
A statement of acts or omissions acknowledged by Respondent as cause or
causes for discipline is included under "Facts."
5.
Conclusions of law, drawn from and specifically referring to the facts
are also included under "Conclusions of Law".
6.
The parties must include supporting authority for the recommended level
of discipline under the heading "Supporting Authority."
7.
No more than 30 days prior to the filing of this stipulation, Respondent
has been advised in writing of any pending investigation/proceeding not
resolved by this stipulation, except for criminal investigations.
8.
Payment of Disciplinary Costs-Respondent acknowledges the provisions of
Bus. & Prof. Code §§6086.10 & 6140.7. (Check one option only):
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checked. Costs are added to membership fee for calendar year following
effective date of discipline.
checked. Costs
are to be paid in equal amounts prior to February 1 for the following
membership years: 2013, 2014. (Hardship, special circumstances or other good
cause per rule 5.132, Rules of Procedure.) If Respondent fails to pay any
installment as described above, or as may be modified by the State Bar Court,
the remaining balance is due and payable immediately.
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checked. Costs are waived in part as set forth in a separate attachment
entitled "Partial Waiver of Costs".
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checked. Costs are entirely waived.
B. Aggravating Circumstances [for definition,
see Standards for Attorney Sanctions for Professional Misconduct, standard
1.2(b)]. Facts supporting aggravating circumstances are required.
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(1)
Prior record of discipline [see standard 1.2(f)].
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(a)
State Bar Court case # of prior case 08-O-11293.
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(b)
Date prior discipline effective 09/21/2011
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(c)
Rules of Professional Conduct/ State Bar Act violations: 3-310(B)(3),
3-200(D)(2), 6090.5
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(d)
Degree of prior discipline Public Reproval
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(e) If Respondent has two or more incidents of
prior discipline, use space provided below or a separate attachment entitled
“Prior Discipline”.
<<not>> checked. (2)
Dishonesty: Respondent's misconduct was surrounded by or followed by bad
faith, dishonesty, concealment, overreaching or other violations of the State
Bar Act or Rules of Professional Conduct.
<<not>> checked. (3)
Trust Violation: Trust funds or property were involved and Respondent
refused or was unable to account to the client or person who was the object of
the misconduct for improper conduct toward said funds or property.
<<not>> checked. (4)
Harm: Respondent's misconduct harmed significantly a client, the public
or the administration of justice.
<<not>> checked. (5)
Indifference: Respondent demonstrated indifference toward rectification
of or atonement for the consequences of his or her misconduct.
<<not>> checked. (6)
Lack of Cooperation: Respondent displayed a lack of candor and
cooperation to victims of his/her misconduct or to the State Bar during
disciplinary investigation or proceedings.
<<not>> checked. (7)
Multiple/Pattern of Misconduct: Respondent's current misconduct evidences
multiple acts of wrongdoing or demonstrates a pattern of misconduct.
<<not>> checked. (8)
No aggravating circumstances are involved.
Additional aggravating circumstances:
C. Mitigating Circumstances [see standard 1.2(e)]. Facts supporting
mitigating circumstances are required.
<<not>> checked. (1) No Prior
Discipline: Respondent has no prior record of discipline over many years
of practice coupled with present misconduct which is not deemed serious.
<<not>> checked. (2) No Harm:
Respondent did not harm the client or person who was the object of the
misconduct.
<<not>> checked. (3)
Candor/Cooperation: Respondent displayed spontaneous candor and
cooperation with the victims of his/her misconduct and to the State Bar during disciplinary
investigation and proceedings.
<<not>> checked. (4)
Remorse: Respondent promptly took objective steps spontaneously
demonstrating remorse and recognition of the wrongdoing, which steps were
designed to timely atone for any consequences of his/her misconduct.
<<not>> checked. (5)
Restitution: Respondent paid $ on in restitution to without the threat or
force of disciplinary, civil or criminal proceedings.
<<not>> checked. (6)
Delay: These disciplinary proceedings were excessively delayed. The
delay is not attributable to Respondent and the delay prejudiced him/her.
<<not>> checked. (7) Good
Faith: Respondent acted in good faith.
<<not>> checked. (8)
Emotional/Physical Difficulties: At the time of the stipulated act or
acts of professional misconduct Respondent suffered extreme emotional
difficulties or physical disabilities which expert testimony would establish
was directly responsible for the misconduct. The difficulties or
disabilities were not the product of any illegal conduct by the member, such as
illegal drug or substance abuse, and Respondent no longer suffers from such
difficulties or disabilities.
<<not>> checked. (9) Severe
Financial Stress: At the time of the misconduct, Respondent suffered from
severe financial stress which resulted from circumstances not reasonably
foreseeable or which were beyond his/her control and which were directly
responsible for the misconduct.
<<not>> checked. (10) Family
Problems: At the time of the misconduct, Respondent suffered extreme
difficulties in his/her personal life which were other than emotional or
physical in nature.
<<not>> checked. (11) Good
Character: Respondent's good character is attested to by a wide range of
references in the legal and general communities who are aware of the full
extent of his/her misconduct.
<<not>> checked. (12)
Rehabilitation: Considerable time has passed since the acts of
professional misconduct occurred followed by convincing proof of subsequent
rehabilitation.
<<not>> checked. (13) No
mitigating circumstances are involved.
Additional mitigating circumstances: Respondent has admitted culpability at
this early stage of the proceedings. He is receiving substantial mitigation for
his candor and cooperation with the State Bar.
D. Discipline:
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(1) Stayed
Suspension:
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(a)
Respondent must be suspended from the practice of law for a period of one year.
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checked. i. and until Respondent shows proof satisfactory to the
State Bar Court of rehabilitation and present fitness to practice and present
learning and ability in the law pursuant to standard 1.4(c)(ii) Standards for
Attorney Sanctions for Professional Misconduct.
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checked. ii. and until Respondent pays restitution as set forth in
the Financial Conditions form attached to this stipulation.
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checked. iii. and until Respondent does the following:
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checked. (b) The above-referenced suspension is stayed.
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(2)
Probation: Respondent must be placed on probation for a period of 2
years, which will commence upon the effective date of the Supreme Court order
in this matter. (See rule 9.18, California Rules of Court.)
E. Additional Conditions of Probation:
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(1) During
the probation period, Respondent must comply with the provisions of the State
Bar Act and Rules of Professional Conduct.
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(2) Within
ten (10) days of any change, Respondent must report to the Membership Records
Office of the State Bar and to the Office of Probation of the State Bar of
California ("Office of Probation"), all changes of information,
including current office address and telephone number, or other address for
State Bar purposes, as prescribed by section 6002.1 of the Business and Professions
Code.
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(3) Within
thirty (30) days from the effective date of discipline, Respondent must contact
the Office of Probation and schedule a meeting with Respondent's assigned
probation deputy to discuss these terms and conditions of probation. Upon the
direction of the Office of Probation, Respondent must meet with the probation
deputy either in-person or by telephone. During the period of probation,
Respondent must promptly meet with the probation deputy as directed and upon request.
checked.
(4)
Respondent must submit written quarterly reports to the Office of Probation on
each January 10, April 10, July 10, and October 10 of the period of probation.
Under penalty of perjury, Respondent must state whether Respondent has complied
with the State Bar Act, the Rules of Professional Conduct, and all conditions
of probation during the preceding calendar quarter. Respondent must also state
whether there are any proceedings pending against him or her in the State Bar
Court and if so, the case number and current status of that proceeding. If the
first report would cover less than 30 days, that report must be submitted on
the next quarter date, and cover the extended period.
In addition to all quarterly reports, a final report, containing the same
information, is due no earlier than twenty (20) days before the last day of the
period of probation and no later than the last day of probation.
<<not>> checked. (5) Respondent
must be assigned a probation monitor. Respondent must promptly review the terms
and conditions of probation with the probation monitor to establish a manner
and schedule of compliance. During the period of probation, Respondent must
furnish to the monitor such reports as may be requested, in addition to the
quarterly reports required to be submitted to the Office of Probation.
Respondent must cooperate fully with the probation monitor.
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(6) Subject
to assertion of applicable privileges, Respondent must answer fully, promptly
and truthfully any inquiries of the Office of Probation and any probation
monitor assigned under these conditions which are directed to Respondent
personally or in writing relating to whether Respondent is complying or has
complied with the probation conditions.
<<not>> checked. (7) Within one
(1) year of the effective date of the discipline herein, Respondent must
provide to the Office of Probation satisfactory proof of attendance at a
session of the Ethics School, and passage of the test given at the end of that
session.
checked. No Ethics School recommended.
Reason: Respondent was ordered to take Ethics School in Case No. 08-O-11293.
That discipline became effective on September 21, 2011, and Respondent is
required to take Ethics School before September 21, 2012.
<<not>> checked. (8) Respondent
must comply with all conditions of probation imposed in the underlying criminal
matter and must so declare under penalty of perjury in conjunction with any
quarterly report to be filed with the Office of Probation.
<<not>> checked. (9) The
following conditions are attached hereto and
incorporated:
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checked. Substance Abuse Conditions.
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checked. Law Office Management Conditions.
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checked. Medical Conditions.
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checked. Financial Conditions.
F. Other Conditions Negotiated by the Parties:
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(1)
Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination: Respondent must
provide proof of passage of the Multistate Professional Responsibility
Examination ("MPRE"), administered by the National Conference of Bar
Examiners, to the Office of Probation within one year. Failure to pass
the MPRE results in actual suspension without further hearing until passage.
But see rule 9.10(b), California Rules of Court, and rule 5.162(A) & (E),
Rules of Procedure.
<<not>> checked. No MPRE
recommended. Reason:
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(2) Other
Conditions: Respondent has agreed to submit to binding fee arbitration on the
issues raised by Complainant Robert Tung. Respondent has also agreed to pay the
filing fee and expenses involved in the fee arbitration.
Attachment language (if any):
ATTACHMENT TO
STIPULATION RE FACTS, CONCLUSIONS OF
LAW AND DISPOSITION
IN THE MATTER OF: Patrick Lee
Lund, State Bar No. 86371
STATE BAR COURT CASE NUMBER:
11-O-11135
FACTS AND
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
Respondent
admits that the following facts are true and that he is culpable of violations
of the specified statutes and/or Rules of Professional Conduct.
Case No.
11-O- 11135
FACTS:
1. In July
2007, Robert Tung hired Respondent to appeal a judgment that had been entered
against him in Los Angeles Superior Court, case no BC315691, James Dong v.
Robert Tung et al. (Dong v. Tung). Tung paid Respondent $20,000 as an advance
fee for his legal services.
2. On August
3, 2007, Respondent filed a Notice of Appeal in Los Angeles Superior Court on
Tung’s behalf in Dong v. Tung.
3. On January
29, 2008, the Court of Appeal mailed a notice to Respondent informing him that
the record was complete and that Tung’s Opening Brief was due within 30 days
from the date of the notice. Thirty days from the date of the notice was
February 28, 2008. Respondent did not file Tung’s Opening Brief by February 28,
2008.
4. On March
11, 2008, the Court of Appeal mailed a notice to Respondent informing him that
if the opening brief was not filed within 15 days of the notice, the appeal
would be dismissed. Fifteen days from the date of the notice was March 26,
2008.
5. In March 2008,
and again in May 2008, Respondent filed motions to extend the deadline to file
the Opening Brief in Dong v. Tung. The court granted those motions and extended
the final deadline to file the Opening Brief to July 28, 2008.
6. On May 8,
2008, Respondent joined the law firm ofBohm, Matsen, Kreigel, and Aguilera
(Bohm).
7. Respondent
failed properly supervise the staff at Bohm and as a result of Respondent’s
failure to supervise the staff, the Opening Brief in Dong v. Tung was not
timely filed
8. On August
14, 2008, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal in Dong v. Tung because an
Opening Brief had not been timely filed.
9. On
September 10, 2008, Respondent filed a motion to vacate the dismissal and
reinstate the appeal. Respondent stated that the reason he didn’t file the
Opening Brief was that his firm merged with another firm on April 1, 2008 and
the due date for the opening brief was not calendared.
10. On
September 10, 2008, the Court of Appeal denied Respondent’s motion to vacate
the dismissal and to reinstate the appeal.
CONCLUSION OF
LAW
11. By
failing to properly supervise the staff at Bohm, which resulted in Tong’s
appeal being dismissed, Respondent recklessly failed to perform legal services
with competence in violation of California Rules of Professional Conduct, rule
3-110(A).
PENDING
PROCEEDINGS
The
disclosure date referred to, on page 2, paragraph A(7), was May 1, 2012.
DISCIPLINARY
STANDARDS
Standard
1.7(a) which states that if a member has a prior discipline, the degree of
discipline in the current proceeding shall be greater than the discipline
imposed in the prior proceeding unless the prior discipline was so remote in
time to the current proceeding and the offense for which it was imposed was so
minimal in severity that imposing greater discipline in the current proceeding
would be manifestly unjust.
Standard
2.4(b), which states that culpability of a member of wilfully failing to
perform services in a client matter shall result in reproval or suspension
depending on the extent of the misconduct and the degree of harm to the client.
COSTS
Respondent
acknowledges that the Office of the Chief Trial Counsel has informed Respondent
that as of March 20, 2012, the costs in this matter are approximately $3,000.
Respondent further acknowledges that, should this stipulation be rejected or
should relief from the Stipulation be granted, the costs in this matter may
increase due to the cost of further proceedings.
SIGNATURE OF THE PARTIES
Case Number(s): 11-O-11135
In the Matter of: Patrick Lee Lund
By their
signatures below, the parties and their counsel, as applicable, signify their agreement
with each of the recitation and each of the terms and conditions of this
Stipulation Re Facts, Conclusions of Law and Disposition.
Signed by:
Respondent:
Patrick Lee Lund
Date: May 7,
2012
Respondent’s
Counsel: Thomas R. Saltarelli
Date: May 7,
2012
Deputy Trial
Counsel: Anthony J. Garcia
Date: May 11,
2012
STAYED SUSPENSION ORDER
Case Number(s):11-O-11135
In the Matter of: Patrick Lee Lund
Finding
the stipulation to be fair to the parties and that it adequately protects the
public, IT IS ORDERED that the requested dismissal of counts/charges, if any,
is GRANTED without prejudice, and:
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checked. The stipulated facts and disposition are APPROVED and the DISCIPLINE
RECOMMENDED to the Supreme Court.
checked.
The stipulated facts and disposition are APPROVED AS MODIFIED as set forth
below, and the DISCIPLINE IS RECOMMENDED to the Supreme Court.
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checked. All Hearing dates are vacated.
On page
2 of the Stipulation, paragraph A. (3), the number “6” is deleted and replaced
with the number “9.
With
regard to the appropriate discipline to recommend in this matter, the court
finds that the case is subject to analysis under In the Matter of Sklar (Review
Dept. 1993) 2 cal. State Bar Ct. Rptr. 602.”
The parties
are bound by the stipulation as approved unless: 1) a motion to withdraw or
modify the stipulation, filed within 15 days after service of this order, is
granted; or 2) this court modifies or further modifies the approved
stipulation. (See rule 5.58 (E) & (F), Rules of Procedure.) The effective
date of this disposition is the effective date of the Supreme Court order
herein, normally 30 days after the file date. (See rule 9.18(a), California
Rules of Court.)
Signed
by:
Judge of
the State Bar Court: Donald F. Miles
Date: May
24, 2012
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
[Rules Proc. of State Bar; Rule
5.27(B); Code Civ. Proc., § 1013a(4)]
I am a Case
Administrator of the State Bar Court of California. I am over the age of
eighteen and not a party to the within proceeding. Pursuant to standard court
practice, in the City and
County of Los
Angeles, on May 24, 2012, I deposited a true copy of the following document(s):
STIPULATION
RE FACTS, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND DISPOSITION AND ORDER APPROVING STAYED
SUSPENSION; NO ACTUAL SUSPENSION
in a sealed
envelope for collection and mailing on that date as follows:
checked.
by first-class mail, with postage thereon fully prepaid, through the United
States Postal Service at Los Angeles, California, addressed as follows:
THOMAS R. SALTARELLI
SALTARELLI LAW CORPORATION
PO BOX 10367
NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658
checked.
by interoffice mail through a facility regularly maintained by the State Bar of
California addressed as follows:
ANTHONY GARCIA, Enforcement, Los
Angeles
I hereby
certify that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed in Los Angeles,
California, on May 24, 2012.
Signed by:
Tammy Cleaver
Case
Administrator
State Bar
Court