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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Campbell attorney disbarred for misappropriating $425,000 in client funds

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LOS ANGELES — James Lyston Evertts, a Campbell attorney, was recently disbarred by the State Bar Court of California for multiple acts of misconduct in two client matters.

The court issued its ruling on Feb. 10.

In the first client matter, the attorney was charged with nine counts of misconduct beginning with the collection of $8,900 in “illegal and advanced fees.” Evertts also allegedly failed to preform legal services for the client before the legal matter was settled. Evertts was charged with improperly withdrawing from representation, failing to adequately respond to client requests for case status and failing to take reasonable steps to prevent prejudice. 

Evertts did not return unearned fees, failed to keep his client trust balance and misappropriated client funds. He was also charged with not responding to the state bar’s notice of disciplinary charges (NDC) and not updating his mailing address with the state bar. 

The second matter originated in 2012 when Evertts was hired to represent a client in a trust matter. Evertts improperly withdrew from the case, failed to take reasonable actions to prevent prejudice against his client and did not respond in a timely manner to client requests for updates on the case's status. Additionally, the attorney failed to maintain his client trust account at $530,034.97 and misappropriated $425,000. He was also charged with not responding to the NDC and for not updating his address in this matter.

Evertts was disbarred and ordered to pay $434,238.88 plus interest in restitution.

Evertts was admitted to the California State Bar in August 1990. He is a graduate of Principia College and the Illinois IT College of Law in Eisah, Ill. He had no prior record of discipline. 

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