False CLE Certifications Draw Suspension, Probation
From the August 2016 California Bar Journal
WENDY B. GABRIELLA [#149179], 57, of Laguna Niguel, was suspended from the practice of law for 30 days and ordered to take the MPRE. She was also placed on one year of probation and faces a one-year suspension if she does not comply with the terms of her disciplinary probation. The order took effect March 18, 2016.
Gabriella falsely reported to the State Bar she had complied with her MCLE requirements when she had taken none of the necessary courses. She completed the necessary courses after she was audited.
In mitigation, she had no prior record of discipline and entered into a pretrial stipulation with the State Bar.
PATRICIA R. NOGUERA [#189040], 46, of Long Beach, was suspended from the practice of law for 30 days and ordered to take the MPRE. She was also placed on one year of probation and faces a one-year suspension if she fails to comply with the terms of her disciplinary probation. The order took effect March 18, 2016.
Noguera reported under penalty of perjury to the State Bar she had met her MCLE requirements when she hadn’t. She only took the necessary hours to come into compliance after she was contacted for an MCLE audit.
In mitigation, she had no prior record of discipline and entered into a pretrial stipulation with the State Bar.
BOBAK ROSHAN [#259987], 33, of Santa Monica, was suspended from the practice of law for 60 days and ordered to take the MPRE. He was also placed on one year of probation and faces a one-year suspension if he does not comply with the terms of his disciplinary probation. The order took effect March 18, 2016.
Roshan falsely reported to the State Bar that he had met his MCLE requirements when he had not. He completed the necessary hours after the compliance period.
In mitigation, he entered into a prefiling stipulation with the State Bar, saving time and resources.
MARILYN DINA WEINSTEIN [#183748], 47, of Pleasanton, was suspended from the practice of law for 30 days and ordered to take the MPRE. She was also placed on one year of probation and faces a one-year suspension if she does not comply with the terms of her disciplinary probation. The order took effect March 19, 2016.
In June 2014, Weinstein falsely reported to the State Bar that she was in compliance with her MCLE requirements. She later provided proof she had completed the necessary hours – but the hours were completed after the compliance period.
In mitigation, Weinstein had no prior record of discipline and admitted to her misconduct.
(Mike Frisch)