Beverly Hills attorney Jacqueline A. Mangum has been disbarred by the California State Bar over five counts of misconduct, including failing to provide a client with an accounting of a $17,600 advance fee, according to a recent decision.
Among other allegations against Mangum, the court did not find her culpable of willfully failing to perform legal services with competence, according to the state bar's decision and order of involuntary inactive enrollment issued June 21. The court did not find her culpable on that count "as the facts deemed admitted as a result of the entry of respondent’s default do not support a finding by clear and convincing evidence that respondent intentionally, repeatedly, or recklessly failed to perform legal services with competence," the decision said.
The court did find against Mangum on other counts. Those counts included failing to inform her client that the superior court issued a ruling on the opposing party’s demurrer; dismissing the client’s complaint with prejudice; to provide a substantive response to a letter requesting a response about allegations of misconduct being investigated and to timely notify the state bar of the change in her membership records address.
Mangum failed to participate in person or via counsel and state bar's decision and order for disbarment was entered by default. In cases such as this, when an attorney fails to participate in a California State Bar disciplinary proceeding despite adequate notice and opportunity, the bar invokes Rule 5.85, which provides the procedure for the state bar to recommend an attorney’s disbarment.
The bar's decision is pending final action by the California Supreme Court, an appeal before the bar's Review Department or expiration of time in which parties to may request further review within the State Bar Court.
Mangum was admitted to the bar in California July 16, 1984, according to her profile on the state bar's website.
Mangum has two prior records of discipline before the state bar, according to the decision. In November 2003, Mangum received a private reproval with conditions for a single ethical violation of intentionally, recklessly, or repeatedly failing to perform legal services with competence. Ten years later, in November 2013, she received a public reproval with conditions for failing to cooperate in a state bar disciplinary investigation pending against her.