On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the Supreme Court of California disbarred attorney Sherry Lee Collins from practicing law in the state, striking her name from the roll of attorneys. The decision followed a series of disciplinary proceedings by the State Bar Court, culminating in a default judgment due to Collins’ failure to respond to allegations of professional misconduct.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Sherry Lee Collins,” with case no. S289914.
The State Bar Court’s decision, issued on February 4, 2025, detailed multiple violations across three client matters, leading to the recommendation for disbarment. In one case, Collins was found to have failed to provide an accounting to a trust beneficiary, violating the California Probate Code. She also disregarded court orders in a probate case involving the Trust of Patricia Ryan, neglecting to produce a trust instrument, provide a required accounting, and appear at a contempt hearing. These actions violated state laws mandating compliance with court directives.
In a separate matter involving client Michelle Jacobson, Collins failed to refund $1,328 in unearned fees after ending her representation in a divorce case on October 4, 2022. She also did not inform Jacobson of her withdrawal, neglected to communicate case updates, and took no steps to protect Jacobson’s interests, breaching professional conduct rules.
Additionally, in a case involving Velasquez v. Velasquez, Collins practiced law while not actively enrolled with the State Bar, violating state regulations prohibiting unauthorized legal practice.
Collins further failed to cooperate with State Bar investigations into these matters. Despite receiving multiple letters requesting responses to allegations, she provided no substantive replies, violating her duty to participate in disciplinary inquiries. The Office of Chief Trial Counsel (OCTC) filed a petition for disbarment on December 4, 2024, after Collins’ default was entered on August 16, 2024, for not responding to the Notice of Disciplinary Charges served in May 2024. OCTC made several attempts to contact Collins, including emails, phone calls, and mailings to addresses found through searches, but received no response.
The State Bar Court emphasized that Collins had adequate notice and opportunity to participate in the proceedings but chose not to engage. Collins was placed on involuntary inactive status on August 19, 2024, three days after her default.
The Supreme Court ordered Collins to pay $5,000 in monetary sanctions to the State Bar’s Client Security Fund and to make restitution of $1,328 plus 10 percent annual interest from October 4, 2022, to Michelle Jacobson or the Client Security Fund if it compensates Jacobson. Collins must also cover State Bar costs, enforceable as a money judgment. She is required to comply with California Rules of Court, notifying clients and others of her disbarment within specified timelines.
The Disposition states:
“The court orders that Sherry Lee Collins (Respondent), State Bar Number 154010, is disbarred from the practice of law in California, and that Respondent’s name is stricken from the roll of attorneys.”
According to Avvo.com, Ms. Collins was an estate planning attorney in Riverside, California. She attended California Southern Law School, graduating in 1989. She acquired her law license in California in 1991.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
