On Wednesday, June 21, 2023, the Supreme Court of California disciplined attorney Peter Louis Cook for failing to comply with the conditions of probation.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Peter Louis Cook,” with case no. S279671.
In a notice of disciplinary charges, dated October 27, 2022, the State Bar Court in Los Angeles accused Peter Louis Cook of failing to comply with conditions of probation in a previous disciplinary case. The charges include his failure to schedule a meeting with the Office of Probation and submit required declarations and reports. The court noted that if the same fails to respond or appear in court, his default will be entered, leading to inactive status and a ban on practicing law. Additionally, it was reminded by the court that the respondent may face further discipline, including disbarment, and could be subject to monetary sanctions and cost assessment for the investigation and review of the matter.
The notice of disciplinary charges states:
“Respondent failed to comply with conditions attached to respondent’s disciplinary probation in State Bar Court Case No. SBC-21-0-30200 as follows, in willful violation of Business and Professions Code section 6068(k): Failing to schedule a required meeting with the Office of Probation by January 6, 2022, and subsequently failing to participate in that meeting by January 21, 2022; Failing to submit a declaration to Probation attesting to the respondent’s compliance with reading the Rules of Professional Conduct and Business and Professions Code sections 6067, 6068, and 6103-6126 by April 10, 2022; and Failing to submit a quarterly report to Probation by its due date of April 10, 2022. Failing to submit a quarterly report to Probation by its due date of July 10, 2022.”
In response, the respondent conceded to jurisdiction and admitted to the violation of the Business and Professions Code. In the stipulation of facts, it was stated that based on the nature and the extent of the respondent’s misconduct, and balancing the aggravating and mitigating circumstances, as well as the standards and case law, three years’ stay suspension and three years probation with conditions including two years’ actual suspension until respondent presents satisfactory proof to the State Bar Court, of rehabilitation, fitness to practice, and present learning and ability in the general law is necessary to serve the purposes of protecting the public, the courts, and the legal profession; maintaining the highest professional standards; and preserving public confidence in the legal profession.
The Supreme Court of California accepted the stipulation and issued a stayed three-year suspension. Cook cannot practice law for at least the first two years of probation, and the suspension will continue until he shows evidence to the State Bar Court of being rehabilitated, fit to practice, and knowledgeable in the general law.
The Disposition states:
“The court orders that Peter Louis Cook (Respondent), State Bar Number 232742, is suspended from the practice of law in California for three years, execution of that period of suspension is stayed, and Respondent is placed on probation for three years subject to conditions.”
Mr. Cook attended the Loyola Law School. He is a lawyer 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.
