LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles attorney Andrea Jean Pflug was placed on a one-year probation Nov. 20, 2016. The ruling handed down by the State Bar Court of California stemmed from the attorney’s alleged failure to complete the required 25 hours of minimum continuing legal education (MCLE).
According to court documents, Pflug, under penalty of perjury, relayed to the State Bar in February 2014 that she had completed the necessary hours to maintain her eligibility to practice. The attorney said she had taken the course hours during the standard compliance period between February 2010 and January 2013.
However, the State Bar’s investigation determined that only 1 1/2 hours were completed during the necessary time frame. When reporting to the State Bar, Pflug neglected to check her written records to verify that her MCLE course hours were taken in full and completed within the compliance period.
The State Bar took into consideration four mitigating factors. First and foremost, Pflug has no prior record of discipline stemming from her more than 25-year career. The 61- year-old attorney was admitted to the California State Bar in 1980 after graduating from Southwestern University’s School of Law and has kept a clean record throughout.
Pflug was able to provide the courts with proof of community service hours with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Pflug sat on the docent board of directors for LACMA between 2009 and 2015 and conducted museum tours to schoolchildren for 21 days out of every school year.
In addition, Pflug also works with Koreh LA, which helps children with reading issues develop their skills. Pflug also volunteers with the Chaver Community of the Wilshire Temple to help members deal with loss as well as to celebrate happier events such as births.
The final two mitigating factors were Pflug’s show of remorse by creating a new system of records management to prevent a similar situation in the future. Also, Pflug entered into a pre-trial stipulation that saved the State Bar Court time and resources.
During the attorney’s one year probation, Pflug needs to submit quarterly reports of her business dealings to the office of probation. Any updates to her personal or professional situations also need to be provided to the office within 10 business days.
Pflug must pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). Failure to pass the MPRE or adhere to any of the terms of her probation will result in a one-year suspension without hearing.
Pflug will be responsible for covering all court costs, which at the time of sentencing totaled $3,139. The costs are subject to increase, in which case Pflug will need to pay the additional fees.
The California State Bar was established in 1927 by the state’s legislature and is governed by 19 trustees. The State Bar Court added appointed full-time judges in 1989. Court documents for all State Bar Court of California cases can be found online at calbar.ca.gov.