Opinion
S249603
11-20-2018
SULLIVAN ON DISCIPLINE
Petition for review denied; recommended discipline imposed
The petition for review is denied. The court orders that RICHARD J. SULLIVAN, State Bar Number 169297, 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 two years subject to the following conditions:
1. RICHARD J. SULLIVAN is suspended from the practice of law for a minimum of the first 18 months of probation, and he will remain suspended until the following conditions are satisfied:
i. He pays court sanctions to the defendants, Francis Taylor Living Trust, Francis James Taylor, and Dolores Kelley Taylor, or their attorney, Marc J. Schwartz, in Windsor Mango Way, LLC; Windsor Investments, Inc. v. Francis James Taylor, et al., Los Angeles County Superior Court, case No. BC 453450, in the amount of $2,500 (or reimburses the Client Security Fund, to the extent of any payment from the Fund to Francis Taylor Living Trust, Francis James Taylor, and Dolores Kelley Taylor, or their attorney, Marc J. Schwartz, 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. He provides proof to the State Bar Court of his rehabilitation, fitness to practice and learning and ability in the general law before his suspension will be terminated. (Rules Proc. of State Bar, tit. IV, Stds. for Atty. Sanctions for Prof. Misconduct, std. 1.2(c)(1).)
2. RICHARD J. SULLIVAN must also comply with the other conditions of probation recommended by the Hearing Department of the State Bar Court in its Decision filed on May 7, 2018.
3. At the expiration of the period of probation, if RICHARD J. SULLIVAN has complied with all conditions of probation, the period of stayed suspension will be satisfied, and that suspension will be terminated.
RICHARD J. SULLIVAN must also take and pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination during the period of his suspension 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).)
RICHARD J. SULLIVAN 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.