Sydney Claire Kirkland #213138
A Escondido attorney was sentenced to 18 months in jail Monday for stealing inheritance money from an 80-year-old client.
After Sydney Claire Kirkland, 58, serves her time in custody, she will have 18 months of mandatory supervision by authorities, Vista Superior Court Judge Aaron Katz ruled.
Kirkland pleaded guilty in May to three felony charges — embezzlement, grand theft and financial abuse of an elder — on the day her trial was to start.
Starting in February 2011 and lasting 11 months, Kirkland siphoned $275,000 from a trust fund set up for the victim, taking all but about $10,000, according to the State Bar of California.
Authorities said she tried to cover up the theft by lying and creating fake records.
A lawyer since 2001, Kirkland agreed to be disbarred. She became ineligible to practice law Jan. 19.
License Status: Disbarred
This licensee is prohibited from practicing law in California by order of the California Supreme Court.
Address: Law Office of Sydney C. Kirkland, 220 W Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
Phone: 760-746-1855
Email: sckirkland@sandiegoestateplanners.com
Date License Status
Present Disbarred
6/30/2013 Disbarred Disbarment 11-O-18588
1/19/2013 Not eligible to practice law in CA Ordered inactive 11-O-18588
9/18/2012 Disciplinary charges filed in State Bar Court 11-O-18588
6/4/2001 Admitted to the State Bar of California
Effective Date Case Number
6/30/2013 11-O-18588
NEWS ARTICLES
Ex-attorney gets jail for embezzlement
Attorney disbarred, ripped off elderly client
Attorney admits theft from elderly client
