The California State Bar has imposed a significant penalty on Santa Cruz attorney Todd Stuart Osborne, ordering a 90-day actual suspension of his law license, effective September 16, 2025. The sanction was levied following Osborne’s stipulation to multiple acts of professional misconduct across three different client matters, demonstrating a persistent pattern of neglect and poor communication.
This ruling underscores the Bar’s commitment to ensuring that attorneys uphold the fundamental duties of diligence and transparency.
The Charges: A Pattern of Negligence
The disciplinary action stemmed from consolidated cases that revealed Osborne failed to competently handle crucial stages of litigation for his clients:
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Failure to Perform with Competence (Rule 1.1): Osborne was disciplined for failing to competently advance multiple clients’ cases. For example, in one matter, he failed to file a required mediation brief on time, causing the critical mediation session to be canceled. In another, he failed to serve a summons and complaint or respond to discovery requests, severely jeopardizing the client’s position.
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Failure to Communicate (Rule 1.4): Across all three cases, a primary complaint was the breakdown of communication. Osborne failed to inform clients of vital case developments, such as the outcome of a court hearing or a scheduled trial date, leaving them uninformed about the status of their legal matters.
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Improper Withdrawal & Fees: He was also cited for improperly withdrawing from cases, failing to account for advanced fees, and failing to return client files upon request. These actions hindered the clients’ ability to secure new counsel and pursue their rights.
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Failure to Cooperate: Adding to the offenses, Osborne failed to cooperate with the State Bar’s investigation, which is an independent ethical violation.
The Sanction: Suspension and Ethics Mandate
The Supreme Court approved the stipulated discipline, implementing a penalty designed to correct his behavior and protect the public:
| Sanction Element | Requirement |
| Actual Suspension | 90 days removal from practice. |
| Probation | One year of supervised probation following the suspension. |
| Ethics Requirement | Must take and pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). |
| Monetary Fine | Must pay $1,375 in sanctions to the State Bar Client Security Fund. |
The 90-day actual suspension serves as a significant punishment, forcing Osborne to cease practice and reflect on his duties. The requirement to pass the MPRE ensures he retakes and passes the ethics exam before his probation can be satisfied.
Conclusion: Diligence is Non-Negotiable
The suspension of Todd Stuart Osborne sends an unequivocal message to the California Bar: client neglect is a violation of fiduciary duty that warrants actual suspension.
The combination of failing to competently move a case forward, refusing to communicate with clients, and hindering their ability to seek new counsel demonstrates a severe lack of respect for the profession and the clients he served. Osborne’s three-month bar from practice, coupled with mandatory ethical training, ensures that he must address these core issues of diligence and competence before his full license privileges are restored.