LOS ANGELES — Erickson McDonnell Davis, an attorney practicing in Los Angeles, was suspended for two years and ordered to pay restitution after admitting to 11 counts of misconduct.
The State Bar Court of California’s ruling was given Jan. 6.
According to a news release by the State Bar of California, Davis became the chief executive and chief financial officer of the Real Estate Law Center in 2013. The center would make contact with individuals seeking loan modifications via advertising. The clients would then meet with Davis’ non-attorney staff to discuss options for lawsuits against lenders. The center would then collect fees prior to any loan-modification services being provided, a practice that is in direct violation of the California business and professions code, court documents said. None of the clients listed in the misconduct charges received loan modification despite paying the advanced fees.
Davis was charged with not supervising his non-attorney staff and collecting advanced fees for loan modifications. Davis will serve two years' suspension, three years of probation, and is ordered to take the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam. Failure to adhere to any of the terms of his suspension will result in additional discipline.
Davis also will have to pay restitution totaling $34,731.34 plus interest.
Davis will be required to comply with the California Rules of Court Rule 9.20 subsections (a) and (c) in regards to his suspension. The rules require Davis to notify all of his clients of the ruling, deliver any papers necessary to clients in regards to their cases, return any fees that remain unearned, and alert opposing counsel in any pending litigation of his suspension. Davis must then file with the clerk of the State Bar Court upon compliance with the provisions of his suspension.
Court documents for all State Bar Court of California cases can be located online at calbar.ca.gov.