On Wednesday, January 18, 2023, the Supreme Court of California suspended attorney Tomas George Hrounda from the practice of law in California for two years for failure to act competently.
The case is entitled “In the matter of Tomas George Hrounda” with case no. S277353.
The Charges cited Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(a) and Business and Professions Code, Section 6068(m) and 6103.
On October 4, 2022, in the Stipulation regarding Facts, Conclusions of Law, and Disposition and Order Approving Actual Suspension, it was stated that while the respondent is handling a client in a civil matter, he failed to respond to two discovery requests; Failed to appear at a mandatory settlement conference and failing to meet and confer with opposing counsel in order to attempt to settle client’s matter. He also repeatedly failed to perform legal services with competence.
The filing states:
“On January 8, 2020, Mr. Gonzalez filed an ex-parte motion for continuance of the trial, stating that the respondent had stopped communicating with him about his case. Mr. Gonzalez further stated he was not aware of the respondent’s health issues or that respondent was not accepting new clients. On January 9, 2019, opposing counsel responded to Mr. Gonzalez’s ex-parte motion declaring that the respondent had also stopped communicating with him after October 31, 2019. On January 10, 2020, a hearing regarding the OSC was held. Respondent attended the hearing and admitted fault for missing the December 9, 2019 settlement conference and filed a declaration of error. The court continued the trial date and ordered the respondent to pay sanctions of S250, which were paid on February 10, 2020.”
The filing continues:
“On February 18, 2020, opposing counsel filed a motion for sanctions against the respondent for attorney’s fees and costs incurred in the final efforts to complete discovery and prepare for the settlement and trial formerly set for January 10, 2020. On March 18, 2020, the court ruled on the opposing counsel’s motion and ordered the respondent to pay sanctions in the amount of $6,396 for conduct that contributed to discovery delays in the opposing counsel’s representation of his clients. Respondent failed to pay the sanctions within 30 days as ordered by the court.”
According to the Court, along with the facts in the matter of this case, prior record of Discipline of the respondent, Mr. Hrouda’s multiple acts of Misconduct, and the Harm to the Administration of Justice, the respondent should be suspended from the practice of law.
The Disposition states:
“The court orders that Thomas George Hrouda (Respondent), State Bar Number 193984, is suspended from the practice of law in California for two years, execution of that period of suspension is stayed, and Respondent is placed on probation for two years subject to the following conditions:
1. Respondent is suspended from the practice of law for the first 90 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 October 4, 2022; and
3. At the expiration of the period of probation, if the Respondent has complied with all conditions of probation, the period of stayed suspension will be satisfied and that suspension will be terminated.”
As of today, Mr. Hrouda runs his own law firm, The Law Offices of Thomas Hrouda. His info can be found on martindale.com. Thomas attended the University of California, graduating in 1997. He practices in Moreno Valley, California. He is licensed in California.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
