On Thursday, June 29, 2023, the Supreme Court of California placed attorney Jason Wook Lee on probation for conduct involving moral turpitude.

The case is entitled “In the matter of Jason Wook Lee” with case no. S279778.

In the stipulation of facts dated March 7, 2023, the respondent admitted to submitting a false declaration to the State Bar, containing untrue statements to shield his supervising attorney from unauthorized legal practice consequences. He co-wrote and signed a demand letter, misleading the State Bar about his involvement.

Details in the stipulation include:

  • On March 26, 2020, the respondent submitted a draft demand letter endorsed by the supervising attorney.
  • The respondent was reluctant to challenge the supervising attorney’s denial of signing the letter, as he believed the attorney wanted him to take responsibility.
  • The supervising attorney requested the respondent’s declaration to support his claims, in efforts to evade accountability.
  • The respondent’s declaration was included in the supervising attorney’s response to the State Bar, claiming the respondent’s authorship and signature on the letter.

The respondent cooperated in the State Bar investigation, expressing remorse. He had no prior disciplinary issues in his 15-year career and attributed his actions to personal and financial pressures due to the COVID-19 lockdown. The State Bar recommended a one-year suspension, stayed, and a one-year probation.

The Supreme Court of California accepted the stipulations.

The Disposition states:

“The court orders that Jason Wook Lee (Respondent), State Bar Number 237092, is suspended from the practice of law in California for one year, execution of that period of suspension is stayed, and Respondent is placed on probation for one year subject to the following conditions:

1. Respondent must comply with the other conditions of probation recommended by the Hearing Department of the State Bar Court in its Order Approving Stipulation filed on March 7, 2023; and

2. At the expiration of the period of probation, if Respondent has complied with the terms of probation, the period of stayed suspension will be satisfied and that suspension will be terminated.”

Mr. Lee attended the Saint Louis University School of Law. Mr. Lee practices in Los Angeles, California. He is licensed in California. His info can be found on lawyer.com.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.