SAN FRANCISCO (Northern California Record) – Poway attorney Davide Golia, who was disbarred after he pleaded guilty to a bank fraud charge more than five years ago, may be reinstated to the bar in California following a recent California State Bar Court recommendation.
"After carefully considering all of the evidence and arguments of the parties, this court concludes that (Golia) has demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence that he has satisfied the requirements for reinstatement to the practice of law in California," the 18-page decision issued Sept. 5 by the state bar court said. "Accordingly, this court recommends that petitioner be reinstated to the practice of law upon the payment of all applicable fees and costs."
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.
Golia's recommend reinstatement was among the dispositions filed earlier this month by the state bar court's hearing department for September.
Golia was admitted to the bar in California on June 14, 1985, according to his profile at the state bar website.
The state bar court's decision details how Golia came to be charged following his effort to shore up a real estate investment in Santa Cruz in 2008. Golia was sentenced to three years probation, 90 days of work-release from a half-way house and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine following a sentencing hearing in March 2012, according to the decision.
In August 2012, Golia was placed on interim suspension following his guilty plea on the bank fraud charge, according to information on his state bar profile. He was summarily disbarred in January of the following year.
Since then, Golia has participated in many community activities, including work with Crossroads Christian Ministries and the Boy Scouts of America, and has "re-engaged with his church," the decision said. He also participated in post-disbarment talks with law students at Thomas Jefferson Law School in San Diego, University of San Francisco School of Law and his alma mater, the University of San Diego.
"All in all, (Golia)'s community activities are positive evidence of his rehabilitation efforts and present good moral character," the decision said.