Protecting the rights of the incarcerated is a solemn duty, yet recent legal proceedings have revealed a profound betrayal of that trust. Effective September 11, 2025, the California Supreme Court ordered the disbarment of Aaron Spolin (State Bar Number 310379), a Los Angeles attorney formerly known for his high-volume post-conviction practice.
The ruling follows a series of investigations into “Spolin Law P.C.” and a subsequent stipulation where Spolin admitted to egregious professional misconduct.
The Core Misconduct: “False Hope” and Unconscionable Fees
The disbarment centered on Spolin’s handling of resentencing requests under Assembly Bill 2942 and Senate Bill 1437. According to the State Bar of California, Spolin engaged in a pattern of predatory behavior that targeted vulnerable inmates and their families.
1. Misleading Clients on Ineligibility
Spolin repeatedly solicited and accepted five-figure fees for resentencing petitions, despite knowing the clients were ineligible.
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Ignoring Prosecution Warnings: Both the Los Angeles (LADA) and Orange County (OCDA) District Attorney offices sent Spolin multiple letters explicitly stating they would not consider petitions for violent offenders or those filed directly by private attorneys.
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Withholding Information: Spolin failed to disclose these warnings to his clients, continuing to promote “false hope” for release to secure higher fees.
2. Unconscionable Legal Fees
The Office of Chief Trial Counsel (OCTC) highlighted several cases where families were charged excessive amounts for work that had zero chance of success:
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Case Example: Spolin collected $26,700 from a client’s sister for a murder resentencing request, despite being told by the LADA that such crimes were excluded from their review criteria.
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The “Template” Model: Evidence revealed that Spolin used “fill-in-the-blank” document templates and outsourced actual legal drafting to foreign contractors paid as little as $10 per hour, while charging clients upwards of $30,000.
3. Deceptive Marketing
Spolin was found to have misled the public on his website by claiming credit for a client’s sentence commutation. In reality, the client had obtained the commutation on their own while acting in pro per (representing themselves), without any assistance from Spolin’s firm.
The Sanction: Disbarment and Restitution
The California Supreme Court’s order is definitive and carries significant financial penalties:
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Permanent Disbarment: Spolin’s name has been stricken from the roll of attorneys. He is ineligible to practice law, represent clients, or provide legal advice in California.
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Restitution Order: Spolin was ordered to pay over $63,000 in restitution, plus interest, to eight specific victims identified in the disciplinary charges.
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Involuntary Inactive Enrollment: Prior to the final order, Spolin was moved to involuntary inactive status in June 2025 to prevent further public harm during the court’s review.
Conclusion: A Call for Accountability
The disbarment of Aaron Spolin serves as a stark warning within the legal community. Using marketing power to target the families of the incarcerated with unrealistic promises is a violation of the fundamental oath to act in a client’s best interest. As Chief Trial Counsel George Cardona stated, “Offering false hope to those in dire straits for one’s own financial gain is contrary to a lawyer’s responsibilities.”
