Opinion
S260285
03-26-2020
JEFFRIES ON DISCIPLINE
Recommended discipline imposed
The court orders that FRANKLIN PEGUES JEFFRIES (Respondent), State Bar Number 80219, 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 90 days of probation, and Respondent will remain suspended until the following requirements are satisfied:
i. Respondent makes restitution to Patricia Merrill, or such other recipient as may be designated by the Office of Probation or the State Bar Court, in the amount of $3,500 plus 10 percent interest per year from July 29, 2016 (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 December 3, 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.