On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, the Supreme Court of California disciplined attorney George Martin Derieg. The court considered a stipulation as to facts related to allegations of professional misconduct against Derieg.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of George Martin Derieg”, with case number S28337.
According to the stipulation, Derieg represented the estate of John Asvitt, who passed away without a will in 2015. Derieg improperly collected his attorney fees of $14,300 from the estate escrow before final distribution and court approval in January 2017. He then used the funds for unrelated expenses before filing a final petition seeking approval of the fees in May 2017. Derieg was later terminated from representing the estate in July 2017.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court denied Derieg’s petition for review. The court ordered Derieg suspended from practice for two years, with the execution of the suspension stayed, and placed Derieg on probation for two years with certain conditions. These include an actual suspension for the first 15 months of probation. Derieg must also comply with other probation conditions recommended by the State Bar Court.
The ruling further requires Derieg to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination during the probation period. Failure to do so could result in suspension. Derieg must also comply with notification requirements to clients and provide records of compliance with probation terms. Additionally, the court ordered Derieg to pay $2,500 in monetary sanctions to the State Bar Client Security Fund. Costs were also awarded to the State Bar and are enforceable as a money judgment.
According to Avvo, Mr. Derieg is a probate attorney in Alameda, California. He graduated from the Golden Gate University School of Law in 2005. He obtained his law license in California in the same year.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
