The State Bar of California filed discipline charges Tuesday against legendary attorney Tom Girardi, formally accusing him of misappropriating millions in client funds, dishonesty and other acts of moral turpitude in his law practice. Last month, Girardi, 81, was placed in a temporary conservatorship because of what his family said was dementia and consequently was moved to inactive status by the bar. But the disciplinary charges carry great symbolic weight for bar regulators, who have been under fire for their handling of Girardi over the decades. Politically savvy and one of California’s most renowned attorneys, Girardi kept a pristine license with the bar despite a trail of unhappy clients and malpractice suits. A bankruptcy trustee has said in court papers that Girardi owes more than $56 million to creditors, former clients and lenders.

Source: Los Angeles Times March 30, 2021 23:51 UTC