San Jose, CA 95131-2318
14 December 2006 | Inactive (17 years, 10 months ago) |
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27 May 2006 | Active (18 years, 5 months ago) |
27 November 2004 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (19 years, 11 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 00-O-12907 |
25 August 1993 | Active (31 years, 2 months ago) |
24 August 1993 | Inactive (31 years, 2 months ago) |
12 February 1993 | Not eligible to practice law in CA (31 years, 8 months ago) Discipline w/actual suspension 90-O-14163 |
1 January 1993 | Inactive (31 years, 10 months ago) |
22 December 1976 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (47 years, 10 months ago) |
November 27, 2004 STEVE DOUGLAS SUTTER [#72872], 53, of Fair Oaks was suspended for two years, stayed, placed on three years of probation with an 18-month actual suspension and was ordered to prove his rehabilitation, take the MPRE within one year and comply with rule 955. The order took effect Nov. 27, 2004. Sutter stipulated to three counts of misconduct. He prepared a bankruptcy petition for a former client who was a defendant in civil litigation in which he had been named under an alias. In preparing the petition, Sutter knew the man was filing for bankruptcy in order to stall the civil proceedings against him, used an alias, and used the Social Security number, phone numbers and address of an individual with whom Sutter formerly shared office space.The bankruptcy petition was dismissed for failure to appear at the mandatory meeting of creditors.The former client then filed a second petition, again using an alias and various numbers that were not his. Sutter says he was not aware that the petition was re-filed.The bankruptcy trustee began a proceeding against Sutter’s ex-client, who said in a deposition that Sutter had helped him prepare and file the bankruptcy documents. Sutter denied any involvement and agreed to be deposed. During the deposition, he gave false testimony.The following day, he called the trustee’s attorney and said he wished to take responsibility for his errors in judgment and offered to resign from the bar and stop practicing bankruptcy law. He reached a settlement under which he agreed to pay $60,000 to the trustee.Sutter stipulated that he committed acts of moral turpitude by making misrepresentations to the bankruptcy trustee, advised a violation of the law by assisting with the preparation and filing of a bankruptcy petition that contained false information, and failed to counsel proceedings that were legal.Sutter was suspended in 1993 for misappropriation and making misrepresentations.In mitigation, he demonstrated remorse. |