Ethics/Professional Responsibility
Jul. 17, 2026
California Supreme Court upholds restitution requirement for attorney's reinstatement
The California Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the State Bar may require attorney Thomas John Spielbauer to satisfy a civil fraud judgment before returning to active practice, even though the misconduct involved a nonclient.
The California Supreme Court unanimously ruled Thursday that the State Bar may require an attorney to satisfy a civil fraud judgment before returning to active practice, concluding that restitution may be imposed as a disciplinary condition even when the misconduct involved a nonclient.
In a unanimous opinion by Justice Kelli M. Evans, the court ordered Thomas John Spielbauer suspended for two years, followed by two years of probation. During the first six months of probation, he ...
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