Law Office of Steven M. Bishop

STEVEN MARK BISHOP [#81618], 62, of San Diego, was placed on one year of probation and faces a one-year suspension if he does not comply with the terms. He was also ordered to take the MPRE. The order took effect Nov. 13, 2014. Bishop stipulated that he withdrew funds when he knew his client disputed his claim to fees and costs instead of placing the disputed funds in his client trust account. Beginning in 2010, Bishop represented the wife in a divorce case and entered into a lien agreement whereby he would collect fees and costs from any recovery he obtained on her behalf. In October of that year, his office mistakenly charged $2,500 to her credit card. That December, the client fired Bishop and hired a new attorney, who requested that Bishop transfer funds he was holding on the client’s behalf into a court-segregated trust account as well as provide an accounting. Instead, Bishop sent a check for a lesser amount with a letter explaining that he withdrew his outstanding fees and costs from the entrusted funds. At the time, Bishop knew about the dispute. After Bishop learned of the State Bar’s investigation into the matter, he returned the disputed funds to his client trust account. On April 25, 2014, he refunded $5,578.89 to the client, which represented the $2,500 that was erroneously charged to her credit card account and money he withdrew from the court-ordered segregated trust account. In mitigation, Bishop had no prior record of discipline, entered into a pretrial stipulation with the State Bar and presented evidence of his good character.

My experience with the employees at The Law Offices of Steven M. Bishop were that they acted dishonestly and should not be working in the legal profession. The only qualifed Paralegal staff that worked for this firm were strong enough to quit and are currently suing this attorney for sexual harrassment. I did not know about the attorney's reputation when I hired this office to handle my case. The reputation speaks for itself.

My experience with the employees at The Law Offices of Steven M. Bishop were that they acted dishonestly and should not be working in the legal profession. The only qualifed Paralegal staff that worked for this firm were strong enough to quit and are currently suing this attorney for sexual harrassment. I did not know about the attorney's reputation when I hired this office to handle my case. The reputation speaks for itself.

My experience with the employees at The Law Offices of Steven M. Bishop were that they acted dishonestly and should not be working in the legal profession. The only qualifed Paralegal staff that worked for this firm were strong enough to quit and are currently suing this attorney for sexual harrassment. I did not know about the attorney's reputation when I hired this office to handle my case. The reputation speaks for itself.