Attorney Frederick Smith Jr. of Oakdale, CA; ethical goblin

The state of California provided Frederick Willard Smith Jr. with a law license in 1982 after he graduated from Cal-State Fullerton University Law School. 

The California State Bar Court found Freddy guilty of the following misconduct.

Freddy obtained a $250,000 loan from a client when he knew for a fact that the transaction and terms were not fair to her. Freddy did not disclose and transmit in writing the terms of the loan, and did not obtain the client’s written consent or give her time to seek independent counsel.

When the client passed away, Freddy had not paid the principal of the $250,000 back and the women’s nieces and co-beneficiaries were forced to file a civil suit against him.

Freddy subsequently sent a proposed settlement agreement to the plaintiff’s attorney that contained a requirement that the plaintiff not file a complaint with the State Bar against him.

As a consequence of his misconduct, the Patron Saints for Attorney Misfit s sitting on the California State Bar Court punished Freddy by gifting him with a complimentary stayed 1-year suspension of his law license.

In truth, the comedians sitting on the State Bar Court didn’t mete out any meaningful punishment to Freddy.

As we speak (ca. June 2014), Freddy practices with the Law Offices of Frederick W. Smith Jr. at 1455 East “G” Street in Oakdale, California, which is located in Stanislaus County.