On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, the Supreme Court of California issued an order suspending attorney Tamara Noel Thomas-Mallery from practicing law for one year, but stayed the execution of the suspension, placing her on probation for one year, according to court documents. The order stems from consolidated State Bar Court cases SBC-24-O-30147 and SBC-25-O-30150.
The Supreme Court’s order mandates that Thomas-Mallery serve an actual suspension from the practice of law for the first 30 days of her probation. She must also adhere to the additional probation conditions recommended by the Hearing Department of the State Bar Court in its Order Approving Stipulation, filed on July 3, 2025. Provided Thomas-Mallery complies with all probation conditions, the stayed suspension will be terminated at the end of the probationary period.
Furthermore, Thomas-Mallery is required to take and pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) and provide proof of passage to the State Bar’s Office of Case Management and Supervision, as outlined in the Hearing Department’s Order Approving Stipulation. Failure to comply may result in further suspension. The order also requires Thomas-Mallery to comply with California Rules of Court, rule 9.20, regarding notification to clients and other related actions within specified timeframes, potentially leading to disbarment or suspension if not followed. She must also maintain records of compliance as required by the probation conditions.
In addition to the suspension and probation, Thomas-Mallery must pay $1,000 in monetary sanctions to the State Bar of California Client Security Fund, enforceable as a money judgment. Costs are also awarded to the State Bar, enforceable as provided in the Business and Professions Code, with one-third of the costs to be paid with her annual fees for 2026, 2027, and 2028. Failure to pay any installment may result in the remaining balance becoming immediately due.
The disciplinary actions against Thomas-Mallery are based on a stipulation regarding facts, conclusions of law, and disposition, approved by the State Bar Court. The stipulation, which includes Thomas-Mallery admitting culpability for misconduct, details several cases of alleged misconduct.
The stipulated facts reveal three separate client matters that led to the disciplinary action. In one case (OCTC Case No. 23-O-12872), Melody Wears hired Thomas-Mallery for a probate matter in March 2021, paying $2,500 in advance fees. Thomas-Mallery allegedly made errors in court filings, failed to complete necessary steps, and did not respond to Wears’ inquiries.
In another case (OCTC Case No. 23-O-21379), Larry Rawlins hired Thomas-Mallery in April 2020 for a trust matter, paying $3,000 in advance fees. Rawlins allegedly received little to no communication or progress on his case for an extended period. Thomas-Mallery also allegedly failed to respond to inquiries from Rawlins and another attorney, Pam Marchese, who was assisting Rawlins.
In the third case (OCTC Case No. 23-O-21847), Shawna Toews hired Thomas-Mallery in November 2021 to dissolve her father’s trust, paying $3,500 in advance fees. Toews also allegedly experienced a lack of communication and progress on her case. Another attorney, J. Christopher Toews, sent a letter to Thomas-Mallery terminating her services and requesting the client file, an accounting, and a refund, but allegedly received no response.
The stipulation outlines multiple conclusions of law, including allegations that Thomas-Mallery failed to act with reasonable competence and diligence, failed to communicate with clients, failed to release client files promptly, and failed to provide accountings. The parties requested that one alleged violation be dismissed in the interest of justice.
Mitigating circumstances considered in the stipulation included Thomas-Mallery’s 18 years of discipline-free practice, letters attesting to her good character, pro bono work, community service, and entering into the stipulation. Aggravating circumstances included multiple acts of wrongdoing across the three client matters.
According to Avvo, Ms. Thomas-Mallery is a trusts lawyer in Susanville, CA. She acquired her law license in California in 2002.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
