Opinion
S278924
05-10-2023
LACHER ON DISCIPLINE
Recommended discipline imposed
The court orders that PAMELA GAYLE LACHER (Respondent), State Bar Number 174895, is suspended from the practice of law in California for one year, execution of that period of suspension is stayed, and Respondent is placed on probation for one year subject to the following conditions:
1. Respondent is suspended from the practice of law for the first 90 days of probation, and Respondent will remain suspended until the following requirements are satisfied:
i. Respondent makes restitution to Lavell Catlin, or such other recipient as may be designated by the Office of Probation or the State Bar Court, in the amount of $1,346.67 plus 10 percent interest per year from July 2, 2019 (or reimburses the Client Security Fund, to the extent of any payment from the Fund to such payee, in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 6140.5) and furnishes satisfactory proof to the State Bar's Office of Probation in Los Angeles. Reimbursement to the Fund is enforceable as a money judgment and may be collected by the State Bar through any means permitted by law; and
ii. If Respondent remains suspended for two years or longer as a result of not satisfying the preceding requirement, Respondent must also provide proof to the State Bar Court of rehabilitation, fitness to practice and present learning and ability in the general law before the suspension will be terminated. (Rules Proc. of State Bar, tit. IV, Stds. for Atty. Sanctions for Prof. Misconduct, std. 1.2(c)(1).)
2. Respondent must comply with the other conditions of probation recommended by the Review Department of the State Bar Court in its Opinion filed on February 7, 2023; and
3. At the expiration of the period of probation, if Respondent has complied with all conditions of probation, the period of stayed suspension will be satisfied and that suspension will be terminated.
Respondent must provide to the State Bar's Office of Probation proof of taking and passing the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination as recommended by the Review Department in its Opinion filed on February 7, 2023. Failure to do so may result in suspension. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.10(b).)
Respondent must also comply with California Rules of Court, rule 9.20, and perform the acts specified in subdivisions (a) and (c) of that rule within 30 and 40 calendar days, respectively, after the date this order is filed. (Athearn v. State Bar (1982) 32 Cal.3d 38, 45 [the operative date for identification of clients being represented in pending matters and others to be notified is the filing date of this order].) Failure to do so may result in disbarment or suspension. Respondent must also maintain the records of compliance as required by the conditions of probation.
Respondent must pay monetary sanctions to the State Bar of California Client Security Fund in the amount of $2,500 in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 6086.13 and rule 5.137 of the Rules of Procedure of the State Bar. Monetary sanctions are enforceable as a money judgment and may be collected by the State Bar through any means permitted by law.
Costs are awarded to the State Bar in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 6086.10 and are enforceable both as provided in Business and Professions Code section 6140.7 and as a money judgment and may be collected by the State Bar through any means permitted by law.