Opinion
S250177
11-20-2018
GOLDEN ON DISCIPLINE
Petition for review denied; recommended discipline imposed
The petition for review is denied. The court orders that STEPHEN RAWLIEGH GOLDEN, State Bar Number 163366, is suspended from the practice of law in California for two years, execution of that period of suspension is stayed, and he is placed on probation for three years subject to the following conditions:
1. STEPHEN RAWLIEGH GOLDEN is suspended from the practice of law for a minimum of the first year of probation, and he will remain suspended until the following conditions are satisfied:
i. He makes restitution to the following payees (or reimburses the Client Security Fund, to the extent of any payment from the fund to the payees, in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 6140.5) and furnishes proof to the State Bar's Office of Probation in Los Angeles:
(1) Joshua McDonough in the amount of $35,117 plus 10 percent interest per year from November 18, 2010;
(2) Tim Mazziotti and Suzanne Wells Schurman in the amount of $51,000 plus 10 percent interest per year from August 28, 2012;
(3) Tim Mazziotti and Suzanne Wells Schurman in the amount of $2,500 plus 10 percent interest per year from February 8, 2016;
(4) Doris Johnson Bennett in the amount of $18,150 plus 10 percent interest per year from December 4, 2014;
(5) Jonathan Bartlett in the amount of $17,623.06 plus 10 percent interest per year from September 6, 2013;
(6) Raymond and Suzanne Schneiders in the amount of $37,422.29 plus 10 percent interest per year from February 24, 2014;
(7) Oscar Arellano in the amount of $18,250 plus 10 percent interest per year from September 4, 2012;
(8) Bo and Grace McCarthy in the amount of $13,500 plus 10 percent interest per year from January 15, 2014;
(9) Robert Garcia in the amount of $4,950 plus 10 percent interest per year from July 30, 2014;
(10) Adrienne Kessler in the amount of $41,599.60 plus 10 percent interest per year from August 2, 2012;
(11) Felice Soule in the amount of $32,000 plus 10 percent interest per year from September 30, 2012; and
(12) Cherie Adams in the amount of $6,250 plus 10 percent interest per year from March 4, 2014.
ii. He provides proof to the State Bar Court of his rehabilitation, fitness to practice, and learning and ability in the general law. (Rules Proc. of State Bar, tit. IV, Stds. for Atty. Sanctions for Prof. Misconduct, std. 1.2(c)(1).)
2. STEPHEN RAWLIEGH GOLDEN must also comply with the other conditions of probation recommended by the Review Department of the State Bar Court in its Opinion filed on May 30, 2018.
3. At the expiration of the period of probation, if STEPHEN RAWLIEGH GOLDEN has complied with all conditions of probation, the period of stayed suspension will be satisfied, and that suspension will be terminated.
STEPHEN RAWLIEGH GOLDEN 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 his 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).)
STEPHEN RAWLIEGH GOLDEN 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.
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.