Anaheim attorney Clifford Nelson Schuster faces a one-year suspension after he failed to comply with the conditions of his probation handed down more than a year ago for not completing required continuing education before he was audited, according to a recent California State Bar filing.
Schuster did not contact his probation deputy, other than a single follow-up call, and also did not meet with his probation deputy, according to the order handed down May 25 by the state bar's hearing department. Schuster also failed to file quarterly compliance reports with the state bar's probation office as required under the conditions of his probation, according to the order.
Schuster also did not participate in this most recent disciplinary action from the state bar. "Respondent was aware of the terms and conditions of his disciplinary probation, yet did not comply with them despite reminders from the Office of Probation," the order said. "His failure to participate in this proceeding is also a matter of considerable concern to this court."
In May 2016, Schuster was suspended from practicing law for 30 days, placed on a year of probation and ordered to take the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE), on condition that he would face a one-year suspension if he didn't comply with the terms of his disciplinary probation. That discipline was handed down after he'd reported he'd taken the required hours of MPRE when he had not.
Schuster ultimately completed the required hours of continuing education but only after he had been audited.
Schuster, according to his profile at the state bar website, was admitted to the bar in California on May 9, 1991. Prior to last year's discipline, Schuster previously had been suspended for failing to pay bar membership fees in 2013..
Last year's disciplinary action and related multiple acts of misconduct were listed as aggravating factors that lead to revocation of his probation, according to the order, which also listed no mitigating factors.
In addition to lifting the stay from the suspension handed down last year, the order warned that continued noncompliance could result in further suspension or disbarment.