Sullivan

In three proceedings before local administrative committees of The State Bar (for Alameda County) petitioner was found guilty of nine counts of professional misconduct. The complaints, all similar in nature, in general involve charges that petitioner accepted fees and payments on account of fees for the rendition of future professional services, that he failed to devote the necessary attention to the matters involved and neglected to give satisfactory reports to or make adjustments to the clients, in most instances retaining the sums paid to him. We have concluded that petitioner has failed to sustain his burden of showing lack of support for or injustice in the subsequent recommendation, made by the Board of Governors of The State Bar, that he be suspended from practice for a period of three years.

In the first proceeding the local committee found culpability on four counts. They note that although petitioner received full notice of all hearings he at no time made any appearance before the committee and offered no evidence to show any extenuating circumstances for his conduct. Their recommendation was that petitioner be publicly reprimanded and also required to make restitution…