The California State Bar disbarred Jerald Bennett of Riverside on Oct. 9.
Bennett was disbarred for failure to communicate a written settlement offer and failing to cooperate in a disciplinary investigation. This was his 11th State Bar case. He was admitted to the bar in 1986.
Bennett has not yet responded to Follow Our Courts’ request for comment.
The Feb. 26 notice of disciplinary charges says Bennett was employed by Arlene Ogburn in 2018, to represent her in a case against the Harrison-Ross Funeral Home. Ogburn alleged mishandling of her son’s remains.
The notice claims Bennett of failed to communicate a settlement request, failed to serve responses and objections to discovery requests, failed to respond to motions to compel discovery, failed to file a case management statement, failed to pay jury fees, failed to file an opposition to a motion for summary judgment, and failed to appear at the hearing for summary judgment.
His client’s case was thrown out after he failed to appear. He also did not respond to the State Bar’s letters sent to investigate Ogburn’s claim of misconduct.
Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero ordered Bennett to pay $600 in restitution to the funeral home and $3,750 in monetary sanctions to the State Bar.
In 2007, Bennett was convicted of a crime against elders and grand theft, according to a State Bar document.
