Petaluma attorney disbarred by the Supreme Court of California due to non-compliance with conditions of probation

On Wednesday, February 1, 2023, the Supreme Court of California disbarred attorney David Rey Silva. The case is entitled “In the Matter of David Rey Silva” and was brought by the State Bar of California with case no. S277496.

On March 9, 2022, the State Bar of California alleged that the latter failed to comply with the conditions of probation.

According to the notice, the respondent failed to comply with the conditions attached to his disciplinary probation in State Bar case number SBC -20-O-30480- MC. In lieu of this, Mr. Silva violated the above-mentioned Business and Professions Code by failing to schedule a meeting with the Office of Probation on May 13 and 28, 2021. Moreover, the respondent failed to submit a declaration that he reviewed the Rules of Professional Conduct and the Business and Professions Code which was due by July 10, 2021. The respondent also failed to submit the required quarterly reports regarding the proper handling of entrusted client funds, property, or securities.

The State Bar of California gave the respondent the opportunity to respond through a written answer within 20 days after the service of the notice. The former also stated that if the alleged misconduct against the respondent resulted in actual suspension or disbarment, the latter may be subjected to monetary discipline.

Thus, after the Supreme Court of California reviewed the disciplinary charges and decided to disbar the respondent, the latter was instructed to pay $5,000 as a form of monetary sanctions to the State Bar of California Client Security Fund. The court emphasized that monetary sanctions are enforceable as a money judgment and may be collected by the State Bar through any means permitted by law.

The Disposition states:

“The court orders that David Rey Silva (Respondent), State Bar Number 152690, is disbarred from the practice of law in California and that Respondent’s name is stricken from the roll of attorneys.”

Mr. Silva attended the Pepperdine University School of Law. Prior to his disbarment, he practices in Petaluma, California. He is licensed in California with license no. 152690. His info can be found on allcaliforniaattorneys.com.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.