State Bar of California v. Statile

Opinion

SEPULVEDA, J.

Respondent William J. Statile, a former attorney, settled lawsuits brought by parties alleging that he had misappropriated trust funds. The settling plaintiffs reserved their right to seek additional reimbursement from the Client Security Fund (CSF), administered by appellant State Bar of California (State Bar or the bar). Those same settling plaintiffs (as well as a trustee of a separate trust alleging wrongdoing by Statile) applied for reimbursement from the CSF, which reimbursed them for losses allegedly caused by Statile. The State Bar brought this action for…