The integrity of the legal profession relies on a fundamental commitment to client communication and professional diligence. For Oceanside-based attorney Erin Sabrina Sullivan Guzman (State Bar Number 230936), the failure to uphold these duties led to her permanent disbarment, effective August 22, 2025.
Guzman, formerly a partner at Sullivan & Guzman, APC, specializing in real estate and landlord/tenant law, was removed from the roll of attorneys after failing to respond to a series of disciplinary charges involving a high-stakes client matter.
The Core Misconduct: Client Abandonment and Neglect
The disbarment was based on several counts of professional misconduct. Because Guzman failed to participate in the disciplinary proceedings after an initial appearance, a default judgment was entered against her. The State Bar Court found her culpable of:
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Failure to Act with Diligence: Guzman accepted advanced fees to represent a client but failed to perform the legal services for which she was hired.
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Failure to Communicate: She ignored reasonable client inquiries, leaving the individual without any information regarding the status of their legal matter—a behavior one client described as “completely dropping off the face of the earth.”
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Failure to Return Client Property: Despite requests, Guzman failed to return the client’s files and essential legal papers, a violation that can severely impede a client’s ability to hire new counsel.
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Failure to Refund Unearned Fees: Guzman retained advanced fees for work she never completed, causing direct financial harm to the client.
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Failure to Cooperate: Most critically, Guzman failed to respond to the State Bar’s investigation, which typically triggers a “default” status and leads to the maximum penalty of disbarment.
A History of Non-Compliance
The 2025 disbarment followed a period of administrative decline. Prior to the final order, Guzman’s license status had already been affected by several administrative issues starting in mid-2023:
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Administrative Suspensions: In July 2023, she was placed on “not eligible to practice” status for multiple reasons, including failing to pay licensing fees, non-compliance with MCLE (Minimum Continuing Legal Education), and failing to comply with the CTAPP (Client Trust Account Protection Program).
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Involuntary Inactive Status: In late 2024 and early 2025, she was ordered into involuntary inactive status as the disciplinary proceedings (Case No. 24-O-30728) moved toward a final resolution.
The Final Sanction: Permanent Disbarment
The California Supreme Court’s order finalized Guzman’s removal from the legal community:
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Disbarment: Erin Sabrina Sullivan Guzman is permanently prohibited from practicing law in California. Her name has been officially stricken from the roll of attorneys.
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Effective Date: August 22, 2025.
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Consumer Protection: As part of the disciplinary process, the State Bar issued a Consumer Alert on her profile. Victims of her misconduct may be eligible to apply for reimbursement through the Client Security Fund.
Conclusion: The High Standard of Professionalism
The case of Erin Sabrina Sullivan Guzman serves as a cautionary tale for legal professionals. While the legal community recognizes that attorneys may face personal or professional hardships, failing to communicate with clients and the State Bar is a breach of the most basic ethical obligations. When an attorney abandons their responsibility to the court and their clients, the system is designed to act swiftly to protect the public interest.
