The power imbalance between an attorney and a client is never starker than when the client is incarcerated and their family is desperate for a path to freedom. Los Angeles attorney Aaron Spolin (State Bar Number 310379) faced the ultimate penalty—permanent disbarment—for a pattern of egregious misconduct that involved systematically misleading and exploiting these vulnerable individuals.
The California Supreme Court ordered his permanent removal from the Bar, effective September 11, 2025, highlighting that his actions were motivated by personal financial gain and included obvious acts of moral turpitude.
The Scheme: Exploiting AB 2942 and Charging Unconscionable Fees
Spolin’s misconduct focused on capitalizing on the hope generated by new California laws, such as Assembly Bill 2942 (AB 2942), which allows District Attorneys (DAs) to recommend resentencing for eligible individuals.
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Misleading Advice: Spolin was found to have repeatedly misled clients and their families regarding their true eligibility for resentencing relief. He continued to advise them to pursue relief even when he knew, or should have known, that their convictions (often serious and violent felonies) made them ineligible for priority consideration under specific county policies.
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Ignoring DA Guidelines: Crucially, Spolin ignored repeated guidance from the Los Angeles County District Attorney (LADA) and the Orange County District Attorney (OCDA). These offices had advised him that they would not act on resentencing requests filed directly by attorneys or defendants, instead prioritizing cases referred by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Despite knowing the futility of his filings, he continued to charge.
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Unconscionable Fees: The motive for this deception was financial. Spolin charged unconscionable legal fees, often collecting tens of thousands of dollars (in some cases over $20,000) from the incarcerated individuals and their financially struggling families.
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False Advertising: He further misled the public by falsely claiming credit on his firm’s website for securing a client’s sentence commutation that the client had secured on their own.
The State Bar deemed the entire pattern of behavior—misleading communications, charging fees for services he knew would be ineffective, and exploiting vulnerable clients—to involve moral turpitude.
The Final Sanction: Disbarment and Restitution
The severity of the misconduct led Spolin to stipulate to his permanent disbarment, an agreement accepted by the Supreme Court:
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Permanent Disbarment: Spolin is permanently unfit to practice law in California.
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Mandatory Restitution: To address the financial harm caused, Spolin was ordered to pay restitution exceeding $63,000 (plus interest) to eight affected clients or their designees.
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Involuntary Inactive Status: Prior to the final order, he was placed on involuntary inactive enrollment, immediately barring him from practice while the Supreme Court reviewed the stipulation.
The case stands as a firm example that while attorneys may charge high fees, those fees must be earned honestly. Exploiting the desperation and limited options of incarcerated individuals for financial gain is an egregious act that warrants the ultimate professional penalty.
Conclusion: Protecting the Vulnerable
The disbarment of Aaron Spolin sends an absolute message: the exploitation of vulnerable clients, particularly those seeking relief under new laws, is unacceptable. The Court’s order protects the public by removing an attorney who demonstrated a willingness to prioritize personal enrichment over his fundamental ethical duties of honesty and client candor.
The restitution order aims to restore some of the financial damage inflicted, but the permanent disbarment ensures he will never again hold the power to practice law in California.