SAN FRANCISCO (Northern California Record) — Fremont attorney Kurt Kevin Robinson, founder of a San Jose nonprofit for underprivileged youth, faces possible disbarment following a recently announced California State Bar Court recommendation regarding 14 counts of misconduct in two separate matters.
Robinson was under suspension from a previous discipline when his alleged misconduct occurred in 2015 and prompted the contested disciplinary proceeding against him, according to the 20-page decision and order of involuntary inactive enrollment issued Aug. 9 by the state bar court.
"Even with that substantial suspension and two other prior disciplines, [Robinson] has committed the same misconduct that underlies those priors," the decision and order said.
Allegations against Robinson included misappropriation and commingling, in addition to failures to timely withdraw attorney's fees, cooperate in a state bar investigation, maintain client funds in trust, perform legal services with competence and obey a court order. Robinson admitted to nine of the 14 counts against him, and the state bar court found him culpable in nine of those counts while the office of chief trial counsel dismissed the remaining counts.
The state bar court's recommendation included an involuntary inactive enrollment order that rendered Robinson involuntarily enrolled as an inactive member of the State Bar of California. That order was effective three calendar days after service, according to the recommendation.
The state bar's recommendation is pending final action by the California Supreme Court, an appeal before the state bar's review department or expiration of time in which parties may request further review within the state bar court.
Robinson's recommended discipline was among the dispositions filed earlier this month by the state bar court's hearing department for August.
Robinson is founder of the Champs Foundation in San Jose, a nonprofit program for underprivileged youth which Robinson served as president from 1985 to 2005, according to the decision and order and information on Robinson's LinkedIn page. Robinson's service through Champs Foundation, in addition to his good character and community service, including mentoring youth and providing pro bono services, were considered mitigating factors in the proceedings against him.
Robinson was admitted to the bar in California on June 3, 1983, according to his profile at the state bar website.