Pace, Former Stanton Mayor, Is Disbarred

Former Stanton Mayor Charles (Mike) Pace has been disbarred for incompetence and abandoning clients, the State Bar of California announced this week.

The action, which took place Jan. 15, means that the 50-year-old Pace may no longer practice law. After five years he may apply for reinstatement, but such actions “very rarely happen,” according to bar spokeswoman Kim McCready.

Pace could not be reached for comment.

According to bar proceedings in October, 1991, Pace abandoned two clients in one case without performing the work he was retained to perform. After failing to cooperate with a bar investigation, Pace was suspended from practice and ordered to make restitution.

In a second case, the bar ruled in December, 1992, that Pace again abandoned clients without notification and, in addition, he failed to perform competently and did not inform his clients of his criminal conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol. For the second offense, Pace was again suspended and placed on three years of probation.

One provision of Pace’s probation for the second offense was that he inform clients and court officials that he was being disciplined. In 1993, Pace was accused by the bar of failing to comply with that provision, called Rule 955. When summoned to defend himself against those charges, the bar said in its findings, Pace failed to appear at the hearing and was found guilty by default.

The bar examiner’s recommendation of disbarment was approved by the state Supreme Court.

Pace was elected to the Stanton City Council in 1984, after an unsuccessful run in 1980, and was tapped by colleagues on the council to serve as mayor in 1985 and 1986. The civil attorney was defeated for reelection in 1988.