Attorney Robert Marlowe Amparan Disciplined by California Supreme Court for Misconduct, Ordered to Pay Restitution

On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the Supreme Court of California suspended Attorney Robert Marlowe Amparan from practicing law for a period of two years. However, the execution of the suspension was stayed, and he will be placed on probation for two years. During the first year of this probation, he is required to remain suspended from practicing law. Amparan faced discipline following a series of professional misconduct incidents detailed in consolidated State Bar Court cases SBC-21-O-30735 and SBC-22-O-30648.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Robert Marlowe Amparan,” with case no. S289684.

The court’s decision follows Amparan’s successful completion of the State Bar Court’s Alternative Discipline Program (ADP), which he entered after facing disciplinary charges from the Office of Chief Trial Counsel (OCTC). The initial Notice of Disciplinary Charges was filed on September 30, 2021, with a second filed on June 29, 2022. The cases were consolidated, and Amparan began participating in the State Bar’s Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) on January 4, 2022, to address mental health and substance abuse issues linked to his misconduct.

Between February 2020 and October 2021, Amparan engaged in 120 counts of misconduct across 62 client matters, primarily traffic and misdemeanor cases in counties such as San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Alameda. He stipulated to violations including failure to act with reasonable diligence (21 counts), improper withdrawal from representation (25 counts), failure to refund unearned fees (37 counts), failure to obey court orders (2 counts), failure to maintain respect due to courts (2 counts), and failure to communicate with clients (33 counts), as detailed in the State Bar Court’s findings.

As a condition of his probation, Amparan must make restitution to 37 clients totaling over $17,000, with 10 percent annual interest from specified dates between March 25, 2020, and October 5, 2021. Payees include Ahmed Alawdi ($4,495.95), Catherine Saunders ($2,159.93), and smaller amounts to others, such as Ka Mok ($128). Restitution must be paid as directed by the State Bar’s Office of Case Management and Supervision or the Client Security Fund, with proof submitted to the same office. If Amparan remains suspended for two years or more, he must also prove rehabilitation, fitness to practice, and current legal knowledge to the State Bar Court.

Additional probation conditions require Amparan to comply with the State Bar Act and Rules of Professional Conduct, read specific professional conduct rules and statutes within 30 days, and maintain updated contact information with the State Bar. He must meet with the Office of Case Management and Supervision within 15 days of the Supreme Court’s order to review terms, submit quarterly reports, and attend the State Bar of California Ethics School within one year. Amparan is also required to obtain psychiatric or psychological counseling, abstain from alcohol and illegal drugs, attend abstinence-based self-help group meetings, and undergo monthly drug and alcohol testing.

The court ordered Amparan to take and pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination within one year or during his suspension, providing proof to the State Bar. He must also comply with California Rules of Court, rule 9.20, notifying clients and others of his suspension within 30 and 40 days, respectively, of the order’s filing. Failure to meet these requirements may result in further suspension or disbarment.

Amparan must pay $2,500 in monetary sanctions to the Client Security Fund, enforceable as a money judgment. Disciplinary costs, partially waived, were awarded to the State Bar of $25,347, payable in three installments with his annual fees for 2026, 2027, and 2028. If any installment is missed, the remaining balance becomes due immediately.

The State Bar Court’s decision, filed January 24, 2025, noted aggravating factors, including multiple acts of wrongdoing and significant client harm, balanced by mitigating factors such as no prior discipline in 26 years of practice, good character references, and cooperation via a pretrial stipulation. Amparan’s successful ADP completion was also considered in mitigation. The court sealed certain documents, limiting disclosure to parties, counsel, and specific State Bar personnel to protect sensitive information.

The Disposition states:

“The court orders that Robert Marlowe Amparan (Respondent), State Bar Number 172132, is suspended from the practice of law in California for two years, execution of that period of suspension is stayed, and Respondent is placed on probation for two years subject to following conditions.”

According to Avvo.com, Mr. Amparan is a criminal defense attorney in San Francisco, California. He attended the Golden Gate University School of Law. He acquired his law license in California in 1994.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.