Attorney Raymond David Mortier was disbarred by the California Supreme Court on Thursday, June 29, 2023, for committing 57 counts of misconduct.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Raymond David Mortier,” with case no. S279787.
In an announcement of disciplinary charges dated August 1, 2022, it was indicated that Mortier had been accused of 57 instances of misconduct. These allegations encompassed a range of offenses, including inadequate performance, improper termination of employment, deliberate misrepresentation, misappropriation of client funds, neglecting client inquiries, issuing checks without sufficient funds, mixing funds, non-cooperation with state bar investigation, failure to maintain funds, neglecting to deposit funds in trust accounts, not communicating settlement orders, failing to update clients on case status, accepting fees from non-clients, withholding files, not refunding unearned fees, and not providing an account of fund usage.
In his reply, Mortier refuted all the allegations and charges brought against him. Following this, a decision and order of involuntary inactive enrollment were issued, resulting in Mortier’s transfer to an involuntary inactive status under the provisions of the Business and Professions Code section 6007. The commencement of his inactive enrollment took effect three calendar days after the order was delivered and concluded upon the effective date of the Supreme Court’s disciplinary order.
The Decision and Order states:
“In this consolidated disciplinary proceeding, respondent Raymond David Mortier (Respondent) was charged with 57 counts of misconduct, including a failure to comply with reproval conditions and various other acts of misconduct involving seven client matters and four bank reportable action matters — the most serious Of which charged Respondent with committing acts of moral turpitude. Respondent failed to appear at trial and his default was entered. The Office of Chief Trial Counsel of the State Bar of California (OCTC) filed a petition for disbarment under rule 5.85 of the Rules Of Procedure of the State Bar.”
Considering the aforementioned details, the California Supreme Court reached the determination to disbar Mortier, effectively barring him from engaging in the practice of law.
The Disposition states:
“The court orders that Raymond David Mortier (Respondent), State Bar Number 163120, is disbarred from the practice of law in California and that Respondent’s name is stricken from the roll of attorneys. The respondent must make restitution to Victor Goularte, or such other recipient as may be designated by the Office of Probation or the State Bar Court, in the amount of $51,475.56 plus 10 percent interest per year from November 19, 2019, (or reimburse the Client Security Fund, to the extent of any payment from the Fund to such payee, in accordance with Business and Professions Code section 6140.5).”
Before his disbarment, Mr. Mortier practiced law in La Jolla, California, and held a valid license in the state. His info can be found on avvo.com.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
