On Thursday, September 1, 2022, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California ruled on the charges for attorney discipline against San Francisco attorney David Joshua Kaufman.
The ruling suspends Kaufman from the practice of law for one year and probation for one year with conditions.
The case, titled In the Matter of David Joshua Kaufman, was brought by the Office of the Chief Trial Counsel of the State Bar, case no. SBC-22-H-30001.
The charges cited Kaufman’s violation of Rule 8.1.1 (failure to comply with Reproval Conditions) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
On January 5, 2022, the Office of the Chief Trial Counsel notified Respondent of the disciplinary charges against him by sending him a copy of the Notice by U.S. First-Class Mail and by U.S. Certified Mail addressed to Respondent.
The Notice of Disciplinary Proceedings reads:
“Respondent failed to comply with conditions attached to the public reproval administered to Respondent by the State Bar in case no. SBC-20-O-30929 as follows, in willful violation of Rules of Professional Conduct, rule 8.1.1by:
A) Failing to contact the Office of Probation to schedule a meeting within 30 days from the effective date of the discipline;
B) Failing to participate in a meeting with the Office of Probation within 45 days from the effective date of the discipline; and
C) Failing to submit to the Office of Probation a compliant quarterly report by the due date of October 10, 2021.”
On May 27, 2022, the Hearing Department of the State Bar Court entered its Order Approving Stipulation filed by the parties.
Accordingly, the Supreme Court of California ordered:
“. . .that David Joshua Kaufman (Respondent), State Bar Number 183326, 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 is suspended from the practice of law for the first 30 days of probation;
2. 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 May 27, 2022; and
3. At the expiration of the period of probation, if Respondent has complied with all conditions of probation, the period of stayed suspension will be satisfied and that suspension will be terminated.”
Respondent must also take and pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination and provide proof to the State Bar’s Office of Probation.
Additionally, Respondent is directed to pay $1.500 to the State Bar of California Client Security Fund as monetary sanctions.
Mr. David Joshua Kaufman earned his Juris Doctor degree from the John F. Kennedy University School of Law. He practices in San Francisco, California with Kaufman & Kaufman, Attorneys at Law prior to his suspension. . He had been licensed in California, license no. 183326. His info can be found on All California Attorneys.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
