Kerry Goff News
California State University trustee Lupe Garcia nominated to Alameda Co. Superior Court
On June 28, 2016, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the
appointment of Lupe C. Garcia, who is a member of California State University (CSU)
Board of Trustees, to a judgeship in the Alameda County Superior Court.
Willow Glen Trestle deemed not historical by National Register
SAN JOSE -- Residents who have been fighting to save the Willow Glen Railroad Trestle from demolition, arguing that it was a historical landmark, were disappointed when the National Register of Historic Places recently declared the 1922 railroad bridge ineligible for historic status and could be removed to erect a prefabricated pedestrian bridge.
USA Gymnastics sued for alleged negligence in child molestation case
INDIANAPOLIS -- Attorneys for a U.S. gymnast who medaled at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games recently filed suit, alleging that a team physician sexually assaulted and molested plaintiff Jane J.D. Doe.
Professor sues University of California Berkeley for alleged discrimination
BERKELEY -- Former University of California Berkeley school of law dean Sujit Choudhry has sued the university's board of regents, including university president Janet Napolitano, and other university officials.
Chino Hills attorney disbarred for multiple counts of professional misconduct
SAN FRANCISCO -- Steven Jay Brock, an attorney who practiced in Chino Hills, was disbarred May 29 and ordered to comply with the California Rules of Court, because he did not respond to a notice of disciplinary charges (NDC).
Valley Village attorney disbarred for failure to cooperate with court
SAN FRANCISCO -- Brian Lee Corber, an attorney who practiced in Valley Village, was disbarred May 29 and ordered to comply with the California Rules of Court to make restitution for not complying with a notice of disciplinary charges (NDC) after he failed to respond to telephone and written messages from a client, refund unearned advanced fees or release the client’s file.
Monrovia attorney disbarred for multiple professional conduct violations
SAN FRANCISCO -- Nicholas Hrant Lambajian, who practiced law in Monrovia, was disbarred May 28 and ordered to comply with the California Rules of Court.
Canoga Park attorney offered two years' probation for allegedly not performing each service in clients' contracts
SAN FRANCISCO – Thomas Richard D’Arco, who practices in Canoga Park, admitted to wrongdoing in two client cases and was placed on two years’ probation, facing a one-year suspension if he does not comply with the terms of his disciplinary probation.
Attorneys find new embrace of cannabis industry shaping their practices, journal reports
SAN FRANCISCO – In the June issue of the California Bar Journal, reporter John Roemer discussed the growing cannabis industry and how industry supporters in the legal profession are laying the groundwork for the upcoming November elections that has recreational marijuana legalization on the ballot.
State Bar will swear in newly elected executive officers in October
SAN FRANCISCO – The board of trustees has elected James P. Fox as president of the State Bar of California for the 2016-2017 year.
President: 'Tomorrow's State Bar will not be the same as last generation’s State Bar'
SAN FRANCISCO – President of the State Bar of California David Pasternak identified areas of needed improvement in a recent article in the California Bar Journal.
Trial held over request of bar members' information for research purposes
SAN FRANCISCO – In an August article for the California Bar Journal, Laura Ernde reported on the Sander v. State Bar of California case that will have closing briefs in September, heard by Judge Mary E. Wiss, to fully determine the necessary parameters needed to protect bar applicants’ privacy with regards to research publications.
Law professor offers insight into Supreme Court trends
OAKLAND – In an August California Bar Journal article, Erwin Chemerinsky, dean and distinguished professor at the University of California Irvine School of Law, offered an overview of the U.S. Supreme Court and his interpretation of its liberal leanings, especially after Justice Antonia Scalia’s death earlier this year.
Pleasanton attorney suspended, accused of sending false report to the State Bar
TALLAHASSEE – Marilyn Dina Weinstein, an attorney who practices in Pleasanton, was suspended for 30 days and ordered to take the Multistate ProfessionalResponsibility Examination (MPRE).
Citrus Heights attorney suspended for rehabilitation non-compliance, allegedly tested positive for alcohol
TALLAHASSEE – Joseph Henry Marman, who practices law in Citrus Heights, was suspended from the practice of law for two years and until he provides proof of his rehabilitation after being terminated from the State Bar Court’s Alternative Discipline Program (ADP).
Santa Rosa attorney disbarred for allegedly misappropriating clients' funds
SAN FRANCISCO – Robert L. Anderson, an attorney who practiced in Santa Rosa, was disbarred May 28 for allegedly misappropriating $294,459 from two clients, arguing that he was only following instructions given to him by his firm’s managing partner.
Court considers attorney's previous DUI offenses for disbarment over billing statement
SAN FRANCISCO – Marc Anthony Guillory, an attorney who practices law in
Oakland, was disbarred on May 28 for allegedly failing to provide his client with a
final billing statement as she requested.
Oakland attorney disbarred after failure to attend disciplinary hearings
SAN FRANCISCO – Reginald von Terrell, an attorney who practiced in Oakland, was disbarred May 28 after his default was entered for failing to appear at his disciplinary trial.
Los Altos attorney disbarred for conviction of accessory to felony grand theft, other charges
SAN FRANCISCO – Melvin Lee Emerich, an attorney who practiced in Los Altos, was disbarred April 15 as a result of his October 2014 conviction for accessory to felony grand theft, multiple counts of money laundering and filing false or forged deeds of trust.
Oakdale attorney disbarred for 'serious nature and extent' of misconduct
SAN FRANCISCO – Richard Carroll Sinclair, an attorney who practices in Oakdale, was disbarred on March 18 due to engaging in a fraudulent real estate scheme, seeking and obtaining loans on false pretenses, skimming off loan proceeds, rental income, tenant deposits and other fees and making misrepresentations to courts to conceal and further the scheme to defraud, according to the State Bar of California.