Opinion
S235225
09-15-2016
VALLEJOS ON DISCIPLINE
Recommended discipline imposed
The court orders that WILLIAM ARTHUR VALLEJOS, State Bar Number 140110, is suspended from the practice of law in California for one year, execution of that period of suspension is stayed, and he is placed on probation for two years subject to the following conditions:
1. WILLIAM ARTHUR VALLEJOS is suspended from the practice of law for a minimum of the first 90 days 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) Liberty Orada in the amount of $3,500 plus 10 percent interest per year from September 16, 2014; and
(2) Mark Yohe in the amount of $4,000 plus 10 percent interest per year from August 21, 2014;
ii. If he remains suspended for two years or more as a result of not satisfying the preceding condition, WILLIAM ARTHUR VALLEJOS must also provide proof to the State Bar Court of his 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. WILLIAM ARTHUR VALLEJOS 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 May 4, 2016.
3. At the expiration of the period of probation, if WILLIAM ARTHUR VALLEJOS has complied with all conditions of probation, the period of stayed suspension will be satisfied and that suspension will be terminated.
WILLIAM ARTHUR VALLEJOS 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).)
WILLIAM ARTHUR VALLEJOS 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. One-third of the costs must be paid with his membership fees for each of the years 2017, 2018, and 2019. If WILLIAM ARTHUR VALLEJOS fails to pay any installment as described above, or as may be modified by the State Bar Court, the remaining balance is due and payable immediately.