On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the California Supreme Court ordered the suspension of attorney Todd Stuart Osborne, State Bar Number 178647, from the practice of law for one year, staying the execution of that suspension, and placing him on probation for one year. Osborne’s probation includes an actual suspension from practicing law for the first 90 days.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Todd Stuart Osborne,” with case number S292016.
The Supreme Court’s order stems from a stipulation between Osborne and the State Bar of California, addressing multiple instances of professional misconduct. The State Bar Court’s Hearing Department had previously approved the stipulation on June 11, 2025.
According to the filing, Osborne must adhere to the additional probation conditions outlined in the Hearing Department’s order from June 11, 2025. These conditions include compliance with the State Bar Act, the Rules of Professional Conduct, and specific directives from the State Bar’s Office of Case Management & Supervision (OCMS).
Furthermore, Osborne is required to take and pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) and provide proof of passage to the OCMS. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in further suspension. He must also comply with California Rules of Court, Rule 9.20, regarding notification to clients, within specified timeframes following the Supreme Court’s order.
The disciplinary actions arise from three separate client matters (cases 22-O-09983, 23-O-19888, and 23-O-21015) that were consolidated. The cases involved allegations of Osborne’s failure to perform legal services with competence and diligence, failure to communicate with clients, improper withdrawal from cases, failure to account for advanced fees, failure to return client files, and failure to cooperate with State Bar investigations.
In one instance, Osborne failed to file a mediation brief on time, causing a mediation to be taken off the calendar. He also failed to take action on a client’s behalf after appearing at an Order to Show Cause hearing and failed to inform the client of the hearing’s outcome or a scheduled trial date. In another matter, Osborne failed to serve a summons and complaint on the defendant, failed to respond to discovery requests, and failed to inform his client of a court order to serve the summons and complaint.
The Supreme Court also ordered Osborne to pay monetary sanctions of $1,375 to the State Bar of California Client Security Fund, in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 6086.13 and rule 5.137 of the Rules of Procedure of the State Bar. The court also awarded costs to the State Bar, enforceable under Business and Professions Code sections 6086.10 and 6140.7.
According to Avvo, Mr. Osborne is a medical malpractice lawyer in Santa Cruz, CA. He acquired his law license in California in 1995.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
