Attorney to be disbarred after harming vulnerable San Jose clients Monday, September 19, 2016 Categories: News Releases Contact: Laura Ernde 415-538-2283 barcomm@calbar.ca.gov SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 19, 2016 – A San Jose attorney is facing disbarment for harming clients from the local Southeast Asian community who spoke limited English. Two of his former clients lost their cases – for wrongful death and slip and fall injury – as a result of the professional misconduct. Sterling Voss Harwood, 58, (bar #194746) has been ineligible to practice law since Aug. 27, after a State Bar Court judge approved his disbarment. The disbarment will go into effect once approved by the California Supreme Court. Harwood failed to notify his clients when he received their medical payments and settlement funds. After two of his clients filed complaints with the State Bar, he had them sign a document releasing him from liability – a violation of attorney professional conduct rules and state law. Harwood still owes more than $11,000 to three former clients. Harwood missed the deadline for filing a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a man whose wife died as a result of post-operative complications following elective surgery. His misconduct also caused another client to lose a slip-and-fall lawsuit. Attorneys are required to repay funds owed to their clients, but clients may also apply for reimbursement by the Client Security Fund. Consumers who believe that their legal adviser acted unethically are urged to file a complaint with the State Bar. Previous Article Next Article