Sutton v Liberty, San Mateo County Superior Court Case Number CIV524652.


From the appellate court's decision it is Lawzilla's understanding the following occurred:

Attorney Louis Liberty is the defendant and appellant.




Liberty engaged in a scheme where he formed a partnership with two other persons to solicit lawsuits from buyers of used cars, where the dealer had not disclosed frame damage to the car.

The arrangement called for 1/3 revenue split from the lawsuits between the three partners.




The problem?

Louis Liberty, Esq., did not pay his partners their share.

He couldn't.

It is illegal for an attorney to split the revenue he obtained from lawsuits with a non-attorney. Liberty used this as an excuse to not pay his partners.




The court found that Louis Liberty had committed fraud and breached a contract.

The total amount awarded against him was $349,256.43.




Liberty filed an appeal.

However, a unanimous court of appeals held that Mr. Liberty's arguments were "meritless" and affirmed the judgment.

Lou Liberty's state bar record indicates he has already been suspended once from the practice of law for solicitations apparently related to the activity mentioned in the Sutton lawsuit.

It is possible Liberty has to report the fraud judgment to the bar. Business and Professions Code section 6068(o) requires reporting to the bar of "The entry of judgment against the attorney in a civil action for fraud ... committed in a professional capacity."

It is unknown if he may face further discipline, including another suspension or disbarment.

Based on the judgment and prior imposition of discipline by the bar, we do not recommend this attorney.

Louis Liberty was admitted to the California Bar in 1990. Bar Number 147975.

Louis A Liberty
1032 Flying Fish Street
Foster City, California 94404

Law School: San Francisco Law School



Note: The address for Louis Liberty obtained from the State Bar is different from that listed by the court of appeals for the lawsuit.