On Wednesday, February 1, 2023, the Supreme Court of California suspended attorney James P. White for advising his client to violate the rule of law. The case is entitled “In the matter of James P. White” with case no. S277489.

The charges cited California’s former rules of Professional Conduct, rule 3-210, and Business and Professions Code section 6106.

On January 24, 2022, it was alleged that while the respondent was representing a client in a matter concerning a restraining order, Mr. White committed misconduct by advising his client to violate the law by stalking the latter’s wife and thereby committing moral turpitude.

The filing states:

“By emailing Ibrahim that the respondent could arrange for a private investigator, Emmett Miller (“Miller”), to follow Ibrahim’s wife, Mujibunnisa Shaik (“Shaik”), and stating in the email, “Yes, we can have Emmet follow her. This would give us info on where she is at…It may be enough to force settlement though. Let me know and I can contact him or you can if you prefer. If you do, let me know,” on or about December 29, 2016, when the respondent knew the court order was binding and stated Ibrahim “must not do the following things to [Shaik]” inter alia, “contact, either directly or indirectly, in any way..take any action, directly or through others, to obtain the addresses or locations of [Shaik].”

The filing continues:

“By emailing Ibrahim that the respondent would contact Miller on Ibrahim’s behalf, for the purpose of following Shaik, and stating in the email, “I will call Emmett today,” on or about January 3, 20 7, when the respondent knew the court order, was binding and stated Ibrahim “must not do the following things to [Shaik].”

The filing further states:

“By having a phone conversation with Ibrahim during which respondent and Ibrahim arranged and finalized a plan for Ibrahim to contact Miller for the purpose of surveilling Shaik on or about January 4, 2017.”

In relation to the disciplinary charges filed against Mr. White, on October 3, 2022, the State Bar Court of California filed an expert witness disclosure to strengthen their case against the respondent. Considering all the documentary evidence and factual allegations that were set forth in the court, the Supreme Court of California decided to suspend the respondent.

The Disposition states:

“The court orders that James P. White (Respondent), State Bar Number 278756, is suspended from the practice of law in California for one year, execution of that period of suspension stays, 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 60 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 20, 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. White is listed in the law firm White Oak Law, P.C. as a practicing attorney. He attended the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. He practices in Pleasanton, California. He is licensed in California with license no. 278756. Mr. White’s info can be found on Linkedin.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.