State Bar Investigating Lawyers Suing Auto Shops

The State Bar of California on Wednesday said it was investigating the conduct and competence of two Beverly Hills lawyers who have sued thousands of Southern California auto repair garages, restaurants and markets.

Responding to complaints from the state attorney general, the Consumer Attorneys of California and the targeted merchants, bar spokesman E.J. Bernacki confirmed that bar officials were investigating Damian Trevor and Allan Hendrickson of the Trevor Law Group.

The state bar keeps the status of investigations confidential but waived that restriction “in order to maintain the public’s confidence in the justice system,” Bernacki said.

The bar’s chief trial counsel, Mike Nisperos, who approved the waiver, would not discuss specifics of the investigation, saying only that “the state bar has been monitoring this situation for some time.”

Hendrickson declined to comment Wednesday. But Trevor said: “This case is going to trial, and the real issues will be handled then.”

Since April, Trevor and his firm have sued 2,000 auto repair shops in Los Angeles and Orange counties, accusing them of unfair business practices. The suits say the shops have routinely lied to customers about the condition of auto parts, billing and other matters, accusations that the businesses deny.

Garage owners say Trevor and Hendrickson are using the suits to collect quick cash settlements from owners who want to avoid an expensive trial.