A judge dismissed a lawsuit brought against the State Bar by a former attorney known for representing Michael Jackson, alleging the lawyer’s disbarment was unduly harsh and violated his constitutional rights.
In a ruling on June 17, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Susan Bryant-Deason found that Brian Oxman’s lawsuit infringed on the rights of the State Bar’s right to bring an action against a member suspected of misconduct.
Oxman did not appear at the hearing or file any papers in opposition to the State Bar’s dismissal motion, defense attorney Danielle Lee said today. The State Bar’s decision to end his ability to practice law did not involve his representation of the late King of Pop.
Oxman filed the suit last July, also naming members of the State Bar Board of Trustees as individual defendants.
He asked that his license to practice law be reinstated and that all information regarding his disbarment be removed from public databases. He also wanted unspecified monetary damages.
Oxman was admitted to practice law in 1976 and his license was revoked July 27, 2012.
The State Bar said in its findings that Oxman used a client’s trust account to evade creditors, mixed his personal funds within that account and was uncooperative in his disciplinary probe. He was also charged with one count of failing to report a judicial sanction.
Oxman’s suit stated, however, that none of the funds in the account belonged to him or his wife, Maureen Jaroscak.
Jaroscak, also a lawyer, was suspended from practicing law for 18 months. She was not a plaintiff in her husband’s lawsuit.
Oxman was part of Jackson’ defense team during the initial stages of the singer’s 2005 trial on child molestation charges in which the lead attorney was Tom Mesereau. Jackson was acquitted of all charges.
Oxman’s other former clients include Gov. Jerry Brown, Denver Broncos owner Patrick Bowlen and astronauts Richard Gordon and Ron Evans, who flew on Apollo missions, according to his suit.
