Brian Magruder, | NOMINATED

California Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

Brian Gregory Magruder, Esquire has been nominated for induction into the Evil Esquire Bar Association.

Prior to our ‘Bored’ making their arbitrary and capricious decision, we’re seeking comment from the public and those directly affected by his conduct as to Brian’s worthiness as a member of our notorious organization.

The California Supreme Court suspended Magruder on February 24, 2009 for 90 days (see below).  Their discipline was prompted by Brian’s failure to perform legal services competently, his improper withdrawal from representation, failure to provide a proper accounting of funds to a client and failure to promptly respond to a clients status inquires involving two separate client matters.

In one matter, Jody Edwards employed Magruder to represent her in the dissolution of her marriage.  Magruder took her retainer $5,000 then proceeded to grossly neglect the matter– what does a client expect for five grand?  He failed to return countless calls from his mark client.  Edwards finally started ’stalking’ him at his office.  In early January 2006 she finally caught up with him in the parking structure of his office building.  He informed her at that time he’d been very busy [grossly neglecting other clients?] but that he would set an appointment with her– which of course he failed to do.

In early February 2006, Magruder showed up at Edward’s place of employment, unannounced, and informed her he was giving up the practice of law and leaving the country and that she needed to hire another lawyer.  The bar complaint doesn’t state whether he refunded Edwards’ retainer. Perhaps he considered it earned given all the effort he’d expended grossly neglecting her case and giving her the run around to that point?

Edwards did hire another lawyer, Madeleine Bryant-Kambe, but by that time the discovery period in her case had expired.  As a consequence, Jody was unable to obtain a division the assets of her marriage.

Suppose Brian was actually representing Jody’s ex-husband?

To summarize, Jody got screwed.  Magruder has apparently given up the practice of law and left the country– forwarding address Guadalajara Mexico.  Aside from suspending Magruder for 90 days, the Cal Barffoons did nothing to assist this woman.  The court didn’t even consider her circumstances and extend the discovery deadline.  The Cal Bar didn’t order Magruder to pay her restitution.  They didn’t bother to state whether she got her $5,000 retainer back and the Supreme Court discipline order doesn’t requre Brian to return any fees.

Be certain to rate Magruder’s “Evility.” And use the “ShareThis” button to assist us to disseminate this post to persons who may have been adversely affected by this attorney.

CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY / CALBAR WARNING

This isn’t an isolated incident, this buffoonery goes on all the time in California which is why it’s a haven for Evil Esquires and Esquirettes.  Nobody actually protects the public.  Politicians could care less.  Most depend heavily on lawyers and law firms for campaign contributions.  California judges and the Cal Barffoons slap lawyers hands on occasion when the media calls them out.  The Chief Trial Barffoon, Scott Drexel is seeking another term– which of course we’re looking forward to.

The Cal Bar investigates few of the attorney complaints they receive– they allege 29% (2007) but their report is intentionally obfuscatory and we believe this figure is much lower– perhaps they consider ‘Googling‘ a lawyers name to be investigating.  Approximately only 2.3% (2007) of complaints recieved are actually prosecuted.  Moreover, attorney discipline in California is highly political– read corrupt. We strongly advise anyone contemplating hiring a California attorney use our LAWYER PROPHYLACTICS.