On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the Supreme Court of California suspended attorney Kenneth Maynard Cavin from the practice of law for two years, with the execution of that suspension stayed, and placed him on probation for two years, during which he will be suspended from the practice of law for the first 90 days.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Kenneth Maynard Cavin,” with case no. S289685.
Cavin faced discipline due to multiple instances of professional misconduct in two client cases, as detailed in a stipulation approved by the State Bar Court on January 21, 2025.
In the first case, Cavin represented Monica Castro in a dissolution matter in Fresno County Superior Court starting in July 2017. On August 20, 2019, the court ordered Cavin to prepare and submit an Order After Hearing (OAH) for review by opposing counsel. Despite repeated inquiries from Castro between September 2019 and February 2024, Cavin failed to submit the OAH, causing a delay in finalizing her divorce until October 7, 2024, when Castro proceeded. Cavin also did not respond to multiple State Bar inquiries about the matter in December 2021 and January 2022, nor to several client communications.
In the second case, Cavin was hired by Taher Alhorsome in September 2023 for a dissolution matter in Madera County Superior Court. Alhorsome paid a $7,500 engagement fee, half of which Cavin designated as non-refundable, and an additional $300 for a consultation. The $7,500 was not deposited into a client trust account as required but into a non-client trust account. On October 19, 2023, the court ordered Cavin to prepare an OAH, but he ceased communication with Alhorsome after November 2023. Cavin failed to appear at a January 24, 2024, status conference, forcing Alhorsome to appear pro per. Alhorsome’s requests for his case file, a refund, and Cavin’s withdrawal went unanswered, and Cavin did not sign a substitution of attorney form, leading Alhorsome to file it independently on February 29, 2024. Cavin also failed to respond to State Bar inquiries in April and May 2024.
The State Bar Court found Cavin in violation of several professional conduct rules, including failing to perform legal services diligently, improperly withdrawing from representation, not depositing client funds in a trust account, failing to provide an accounting, and not returning client materials. He also violated a court order and failed to cooperate with State Bar investigations. Two charges related to misappropriation and unearned fees were dismissed.
As part of the disciplinary terms, Cavin must pay $1,500 in monetary sanctions to the State Bar’s Client Security Fund and cover disciplinary costs, with one-third payable annually from 2026 to 2028. He is required to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination within one year or during his suspension period and comply with California Rules of Court, rule 9.20, notifying clients and others within 30 and 40 days of the court’s order. During probation, Cavin must meet reporting requirements, maintain valid contact information with the State Bar, complete an e-learning course on professional conduct, and comply with all State Bar rules. Failure to meet these conditions could lead to further suspension or disbarment.
The Disposition states:
“The court orders that Kenneth Maynard Cavin (Respondent), State Bar Number 166489, 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 the following conditions: Respondent is suspended from the practice of law for the first 90 days of probation.”
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Cavin is a family attorney in Fresno, California. He attended the San Joaquin College of Law, graduating in 1993. He acquired his law license in California in the same year.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
