Opinion
S285103
07-17-2024
GARCIA ON DISCIPLINE
Recommended discipline imposed
The court orders that JOHN PAUL GARCIA (Respondent), State Bar Number 222210, is suspended from the practice of law in California for three years, execution of that period of suspension is stayed, and Respondent is placed on probation for three years subject to the following conditions:
1. Respondent is suspended from the practice of law for a minimum of the first year of probation, and Respondent will remain suspended until the following requirements are satisfied:
i. Respondent makes restitution to the following payees or such other recipient as may be designated by the Office of Probation or the State Bar Court (or reimburses the Client Security Fund, to the extent of any payment from the Fund to such payees, 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:
(1) A. Arevalo in the amount of $1,198.67 plus 10 percent interest per year from July 18, 2019;
(2) J. Arevalo in the amount of $1,232 plus 10 percent interest per year from July 18, 2019;
(3) C. Chicas, N. Gomez, or A. Aguilar in the amount of $375.02 plus 10 percent interest per year from August 5, 2019; and
(4) J. Vazquez in the amount of $967.34 plus 10 percent interest per year from August 5, 2019.
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 Amended Order Approving Stipulation filed on April 4, 2024.
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 Hearing Department in its Amended Order Approving Stipulation filed on April 4, 2024. Failure to do so may result in suspension. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.10(b).)
Respondent must comply with California Rules of Court, rule 9.20, and perform the acts specified in (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. One-third of the costs must be paid with Respondent;s annual fees for each of the years 2025, 2026, and 2027. 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.