Opinion
S258333
12-11-2019
BERNARDO ON DISCIPLINE
Recommended discipline imposed
The court orders that JUAN MIQUEL BERNARDO (Respondent), State Bar Number 276675, is suspended from the practice of law in California for two years, execution of that period of suspension is stayed, and Respondent is placed on probation for two years subject to the following conditions:
1. Respondent is suspended from the practice of law for a minimum of the first six months of probation, and Respondent will remain suspended until the following requirements are satisfied:
i. Respondent makes restitution to Alan Alves, or such other recipient as may be designated by the Office of Probation or the State Bar Court, in the amount of $1,500 plus 10 percent interest per year from October 2, 2015 (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; 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 also comply with the other conditions of probation recommended by the Hearing Department of the State Bar Court in its Order Approving Stipulation filed on August 20, 2019.
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 also take and pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination within one year after the effective date of this order, or during the period of suspension, whichever is longer and provide satisfactory proof of such passage to the State Bar's Office of Probation in Los Angeles within the same period. 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 effective 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.
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. One-half of the costs must be paid with Respondent's annual fees for each of the years 2021 and 2022. If Respondent fails to pay any installment as described above, or as may be modified in writing by the State Bar or the State Bar Court, the remaining balance is due and payable immediately.