Suspension Order David Endres
Suspension Order David Endres
FUgUC I ATTER
FILED
AUG 2 3 2011
STATE BAR COURT CLERKS )FFICE SAN FRANCISCC~
Submitted to: Assigned Judge STIPULATION RE FACTS, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND DISPOSITION AND ORDER APPROVING ACTUALSUSPENSlON PREVIOUS STIPULATION REJECTED
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(Do not write above this line.) (4) (5) (6) (7) A statement of acts or omissions acknowledged by Respondent as cause or causes for discipline is included under "Facts." Conclusions of law, drawn from and specifically referring to the facts are also included under "Conclusions of Law". The parties must include supporting authority for the recommended level of discipline under the heading "Supporting Authority." No more than 30 days prior to the filing of this stipulation, Respondent has been advised in writing of any pending investigation/proceeding not resolved by this stipulation, except for criminal investigations. Payment of Disciplinary Costs--Respondent acknowledges the provisions of Bus. & Prof. Code 6086.10 & 6140.7. (Check one option only): Until costs are paid in full, Respondent will remain actually suspended from the practice of law unless relief is obtained per rule 5.130, Rules of Procedure. [] Costs are to be paid in equal amounts prior to February 1 for the following membership years: (Hardship, special circumstances or other good cause per rule 5.132, Rules of Procedure.) If Respondent 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. [] Costs are waived in part as set forth in a separate attachment entitled "Partial Waiver of Costs". [] Costs are entirely waived. []
(8)
B. Aggravating Circumstances [for definition, see Standards for Attorney Sanctions for Professional Misconduct, standard 1o2(b)]. Facts supporting aggravating circumstances are required.
(1) [] Prior record of discipline [see standard 1.2(f)] (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) [] State Bar Court case # of prior case [] Date prior discipline effective [] Rules of Professional Conduct/State BarAct violations: [] Degree of prior discipline [] If Respondent has two or more incidents of prior discipline, use space provided below.
(2)
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Dishonesty: Respondents misconduct was surrounded by or followed by bad faith, dishonesty, concealment, overreaching or other violations of the State Bar Act or Rules of Professional Conduct.
(3) [] Trust Violation: Trust funds or property were involved and Respondent refused or was unable to account to the client or person who was the object of the misconduct for improper conduct toward said funds or property. (4) [] Harm: Respondents misconduct harmed significantly a client, the public or the administration of justice.
(5) [] (6) []
Indifference: Respondent demonstrated indifference toward rectification of or atonement for the consequences of his or her misconduct. Lack of Cooperation: Respondent displayed a lack of candor and cooperation to victims of his/her misconduct or to the State Bar during disciplinary investigation or proceedings.
(7) [] Multiple/Pattern of Misconduct: Respondents current misconduct evidences multiple acts of wrongdoing or demonstrates a pattern of misconduct. (8) [] No aggravating circumstances are involved.
C. Mitigating Circumstances [see standard 1.2(e)]. Facts supporting mitigating circumstances are required.
No Prior Discipline: Respondent has no prior record of discipline over many years of practice coupled with present misconduct which is not deemed serious. See Attachment No Harm: Respondent did not harm the client or person who was the object of the misconduct. Candor/Cooperation: Respondent displayed spontaneous candor and cooperation with the victims of his/her misconduct and to the State Bar during disciplinary investigation and proceedings. See Attachment Remorse: Respondent promptly took objective steps spontaneously demonstrating remorse and recognition of the wrongdoing, which steps were designed to timely atone for any consequences of his/her misconduct. Restitution: Respondent paid $ on disciplinary, civil or criminal proceedings. in restitution to without the threat or force of
(4)
[]
(5) []
(6)
[] [] []
Delay: These disciplinary proceedings were excessively delayed. The delay is not attributable to Respondent and the delay prejudiced him/her. Good Faith: Respondent acted in good faith. Emotional/Physical Difficulties: At the time of the stipulated act or acts of professional misconduct Respondent suffered extreme emotional difficulties or physical disabilities which expert testimony would establish was directly responsible for the misconduct. The difficulties or disabilities were not the product of any illegal conduct by the member, such as illegal drug or substance abuse, and Respondent no longer suffers from such difficulties or disabilities. Severe Financial Stress: At the time of the misconduct, Respondent suffered from severe financial stress which resulted from circumstances not reasonably foreseeable or which were beyond his/her control and which were directly responsible for the misconduct. Family Problems: At the time of the misconduct, Respondent suffered extreme difficulties in his/her . personal life which were other than emotional or physical in nature. Good Character: Respondents good character is attested to by a wide range of references in the legal and general communities who are aware of the full extent of his/her misconduct.
Actual Suspension
(7) (8)
(9) []
(10) [] []
(12) [] Rehabilitation: Considerable time has passed since the acts of professional misconduct occurred followed by convincing proof of subsequent rehabilitation. (13) [] No mitigating circumstances are involved. Additional mitigating circumstances: See Attachment D. Discipline: (1) [] Stayed Suspension: (a) [] Respondent must be suspended from the practice of law for a period of 2 years.
i. []
and until Respondent shows proof satisfactory to the State Bar Court of rehabilitation and present fitness to practice and present learning and ability in the law pursuant to standard 1.4(c)(ii) Standards for Attorney Sanctions for Professional Misconduct. [] and until Respondent pays restitution as set forth in the Financial Conditions form attached to this stipulation.
ii. iii.
(b) [] The above-referenced suspension is stayed. (2) [] Probation: Respondent must be placed on probation for a period of 2 years, which will commence upon the effective date of the Supreme Court order in this matter. (See rule 9.18, California Rules of Court) (3) [] Actual Suspension: (a) [] Respondent must be actually suspended from the practice of law in the State of California for a period of six months. and until Respondent shows proof satisfactory to the State Bar Court of rehabilitation and present fitness to practice and present learning and ability in the law pursuant to standard 1.4(c)(ii), Standards for Attorney Sanctions for Professional Misconduct ii. [] and until Respondent pays restitution as set forth in the Financial Conditions form attached to this stipulation.
iii. [] and until Respondent does the following: E. Additional Conditions of Probation:
(1) []
If Respondent is actually suspended for two years or more, he/she must remain actually suspended until he/she proves to the State Bar Court his/her rehabilitation, fitness to practice, and learning and ability in the general law, pursuant to standard 1.4(c)(ii), Standards for Attorney Sanctions for Professional Misconduct.
(2) [] During the probation period, Respondent must comply with the provisions of the State Bar Act and Rules of Professional Conduct.
(Effective January 1,2011) Actual Suspension
(Do not write above this line.) (3) [] Within ten (10) days of any change, Respondent must report to the Membership Records Office of the State Bar and to the Office of Probation of the State Bar of California ("Office of Probation"), all changes of information, including current office address and telephone number, or other address for State Bar purposes, as prescribed by section 6002.1 of the Business and Professions Code. Within thirty (30) days from the effective date of discipline, Respondent must contact the Office of Probation and schedule a meeting with Respondents assigned probation deputy to discuss these terms and conditions of probation. Upon the direction of the Office of Probation, Respondent must meet with the probation deputy either in-person or by telephone. During the period of probation, Respondent must promptly meet with the probation deputy as directed and upon request. Respondent must submit written quarterly reports to the Office of Probation on each January 10, April 10, July 10, and October 10 of the period of probation. Under penalty of perjury, Respondent must state whether Respondent has complied with the State Bar Act, the Rules of Professional Conduct, and all conditions of probation during the preceding calendar quarter. Respondent must also state whether there are any proceedings pending against him or her in the State Bar Court and if so, the case number and current status of that proceeding. If the first report would cover less than 30 days, that report must be submitted on the next quarter date, and cover the extended period. In addition to all quarterly reports, a final report, containing the same information, is due no earlier than twenty (20) days before the last day of the period of probation and no later than the last day of probation.
(4) []
(6) []
Respondent must be assigned a probation monitor. Respondent must promptly review the terms and conditions of probation with the probation monitor to establish a manner and schedule of compliance. During the period of probation, Respondent must furnish to the monitor such reports as may be requested, in addition to the quarterly reports required to be submitted to the Office of Probation. Respondent must cooperate fully with the probation monitor.
(7) [] Subject to assertion of applicable privileges, Respondent must answer fully, promptly and truthfully any inquiries of the Office of Probation and any probation monitor assigned under these conditions which are directed to Respondent personally or in writing relating to whether Respondent is complying or has complied with the probation conditions.
(8) []
Within one (1) year of the effective date of the discipline herein, Respondent must provide to the Office of Probation satisfactory proof of attendance at a session of the Ethics School, and passage of the test given at the end of that session. [] No Ethics School recommended. Reason:
(9)
Respondent must comply with all conditions of probation imposed in the underlying criminal matter and must so declare under penalty of perjury in conjunction with any quarterly report to be filed with the Office of Probation. The following conditions are attached hereto and incorporated: [] Substance Abuse Conditions [] Medical Conditions [] Law Office Management Conditions [] Financial Conditions
(1o) []
Actual Suspension
(Do not write above this line.) further hearing until passage. But see rule 9.10(b), California Rules of Court, and rule 5.162(A) & (E), Rules of Procedure. [] No MPRE recommended. Reason: (2) Rule 9.20, California Rules of Court: Respondent must comply with the requirements of rule 9.20, California Rules of Court, 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 the Supreme Courts Order in this matter. Conditional Rule 9.20, California Rules of Court: If Respondent remains actually suspended for 90 days or more, he/she must comply with the requirements of rule 9.20, California Rules of Court, and perform the acts specified in subdivisions (a) and (c) of that rule within 120 and 130 calendar days, respectively, after the effective date of the Supreme Courts Order in this matter. Credit for Interim Suspension [conviction referral cases only]: Respondent will be credited for the period of his/her interim suspension toward the stipulated period of actual suspension. Date of commencement of interim suspension: [] Other Conditions:
(3)
(4) []
(5)
ATTACHMENT TO STIPULATION RE FACTS, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND DISPOSITION IN THE MATTER OF: CASE NUMBER(S): David R. Endres 10-O-00032
Respondent admits that the following facts are true and that he is culpable of violations of the specified statutes and/or Rules of Professional Conduct. FACTS AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW. Count One Facts Commencing in 1990, respondent was a solo practitioner who represented clients seeking to obtain possession of occupied property through an eviction process. On average during those years, respondent filed 500-600 eviction matters. As a result of the housing market crash, the number of foreclosures and post foreclosure eviction skyrocketed in 2008 and 2009. Between July 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009, respondent filed over 1,000 eviction cases as a solo practitioner. In order to manage the increased caseload, respondent developed an efficient system. Respondent arranged his office into departments, such as intake, complaints, law and motion, and trials. Each department consisted of multiple non-attorney staff and was supervised by non-attorney paralegal assistants. The department supervisors handed out work assignments, supervised the staff in that department, supervised the drafting of legal pleadings, filings and motions from information and forms prepared by respondent, and responded to questions regarding the contents of the legal pleadings, filings and motions. Respondent in most cases also assigned the responsibility of signing the court filed documents to the non-attorney department supervisors. Thus, after the staff prepared final versions of the legal pleadings, filings and motions, the non=attorney supervisors signed respondents name to the legal pleadings, filings and motions, including supporting declarations executed under penalty of perjury. The documents respondent submitted under penalty of perjury included a Verified Complaint for Unlawful Detainer containing a verification executed under penalty of perjury and a Judicial Council form Request for Entry of Default containing three separate declarations under penalty of perjury. After the non-attorney signed respondents name, the documents were submitted to the court without any input from or review by respondent. Respondent had minimal direct supervisory contact with the staff that prepared the legal pleadings, filings and motions. Respondent failed to adequately supervise the staff, failed to review most of the legal pleadings, filings and motions and declarations and failed to sign his name to many of those documents. Instead, respondent delegated that responsibility to the non-attorney department supervisors.
The non-attorney supervisors engaged in the practice of law by giving legal advice to staff regarding the contents of the legal pleadings, filings and motions and by signing respondents name to legal pleadings, filings and motions, including supporting declarations executed under penalty of perjury. Conclusions of Law By failing to supervise his staff, by delegating to non-attorneys the responsibility to provide legal advice to staff regarding the contents of the legal pleadings, filings and motions, and by permitting nonattorneys to sign respondents name to legal pleadings, filings and motions, including declarations executed under penalty of perjury, respondent aided the unauthorized practiceof law, in willful violation of Rules of Professional Conduct, rule 1-300(A). Count Two Facts Count One is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. In each case respondent filed, respondent submitted to the court a verification to support the Verified Complaint for Unlawful Detainer. It stated: "I have read the foregoing Verified Complaint for Unlawful Detainer and know its contents." In truth and in fact, respondent had not read the complaint and was unaware of its contents since he had not reviewed the complaint. Respondent sought to mislead the court when he claimed he had read the complaint and was aware of its contents when respondent knew that the statements contained in the verification were untrue. Conclusions of Law By submitting documents to the court stating that he had read the complaint and was aware of its contents when respondent had not done so, respondent sought to mislead judicial officers, in willful violation of Business and Profession Code section 6068(d). PENDING PROCEEDINGS. The disclosure date referred to, on page 2, paragraph A(6), was March 21,2011 and July 11,2011. COSTS OF DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS. Respondent acknowledges that the Office of the Chief Trial Counsel has informed respondent that as of March 3, 2011, the prosecution costs in this matter are approximately $4,000. Respondent further acknowledges that should this stipulation be rejected or should relief from the stipulation be granted, the costs in this matter may increase due to the cost of further proceedings.
AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES. None MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES. No Prior Record (Standard 1.2(e)(i)) Respondent has been admitted since 1986 and has no prior record of discipline. Cooperation (Standard 1.2(e)(v)) Respondent agreed to the imposition of discipline without requiring a hearing. Other Mitigating Circumstances. In late-2009, respondent modified his law practice to include attorney oversight at all stages so that an attorney oversees the intake process, signs the Notices to Vacate, reviews and signs complaints, reviews answers, reviews trial sets, reviews and signs motions for default, applications for writs and declarations, reviews and signs all motions. The office also holds weekly staff meetings with lead attorneys and department managers to address issues of quality control, changes in the law process issues and other relevant issues. Attorneys also hold daily meetings to address multiple issues and problems that arise. At the time respondent executed this stipulation, respondents office employed six attorneys to handle the large volume of cases.
SIGNATURE OF THE PARTIES By their signatures below, the parties and their counsel, as applicable, signify their agreement with each of the recitations and each of the terms and conditions of this Stipulation Re Facts, Conclusions of Law, and Disposition, ,~i~ [ ~ ~ "~ Date _~/~ //1 Date/ / D ~i~J ~1/// <:i I:~SS:5>4C~ ............. ............ Respondent, s Signature ~~" Respondents Counsel Signature ~ ~ 1~~ Deputy Trial Counsels Signature David R. Endres Print Name Doron Weinberg Print Name Esther Rogers Print Name
Signature Page
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ACTUAL SUSPENSlON ORDER Finding the stipulation to be fair to the parties and that it adequately protects the public, IT IS ORDERED that the requested dismissal of counts/charges, if any, is GRANTED without prejudice, and:
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The stipulated facts and disposition are APPROVED and the DISCIPLINE RECOMMENDED to the Supreme Court. The stipulated facts and disposition are APPROVED AS MODIFIED as set forth below, and the DISCIPLINE IS RECOMMENDED to the Supreme Court.
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1. On p. 4, section D(1)(a)(i)--delete the "and until" std. 1.4(c)(ii) condition from the stayed suspension as unnecessary. (See, In the Matter of Luis (Review Dept. 2004) 4 Cal. State Bar Ct. Rptr. 737.) 2) On p. 4, section E(1), delete the conditional std. 1.4(c)(ii) recommendation as unnecessary.
The parties are bound by the stipulation as approved unless: 1) a motion to withdraw or modify the stipulation, filed within 15 days after service of this order, is granted; or 2) this court modifies or further modifies the approved stipulation. (See rule 5.58(E) & (F), Rules of Procedure.) The effective date of this disposition is the effective date of the Supreme Court order herein, normally 30 days after file date. (See rule 9.18(a), California Rules of Court.)
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE [Rules Proc. of State Bar; Rule 5.27(B); Code Civ. Proc., 1013a(4)] I am a Case Administrator of the State Bar Court of California. I am over the age of eighteen and not a party to the within proceeding. Pursuant to standard court practice, in the City and County of San Francisco, on August 23,2011, I deposited a true copy of the following document(s): STIPULATION RE FACTS, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND DISPOSITION AND ORDER APPROVING in a sealed envelope for collection and mailing on that date as follows: by first-class mail, with postage thereon fully prepaid, through the United States Postal Service at San Francisco, California, addressed as follows: DORON WEINBERG 523 OCTAVIA ST SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102 by certified mail, No. , with return receipt requested, through the United States Postal Service at , California, addressed as follows:
[--1
by overnight mail at
by fax transmission, at fax number No error was reported by the fax machine that I used. By personal service by leaving the documents in a sealed envelope or package clearly labeled to identify the attorney being served with a receptionist or a person having charge of the attorneys office, addressed as follows:
by interoffice mail through a facility regularly maintained by the State Bar of California addressed as follows: Esther Rogers, Enforcement, San Francisco I hereby certify that the foregoing is true and correctl Executed in San Fran,~o, California, on August 23,2011. "