Posing as an Attorney – Man Charged with Improperly Charging for Legal Services
LAKE BALBOA – A man who lives in the San Fernando Valley, in an area formerly known as Van Nuys, is in serious hot water. Claiming to own The Law Offices of Deans & Associates in Canoga Park and appearing on-record as a licensed Attorney is Efferin Deans (dob 1/27/66) of Lake Balboa.
As Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón declared on November 1st – “Practicing law without a license is illegal in California, unfair to the unsuspecting client and can cause irreparable harm to the client’s case.” Not only that, but Deans claimed to be a licensed attorney, and subsequently offered legal services in family law, personal injury cases, as well as other legal matters.
Gascón added that the man has been charged for falsely claiming to be a licensed attorney and offering legal services between January 2019 and September 2021. In order to get victims to pay him retainers and fees, Deans has been accused of allegedly providing court staff and victims with indications of standing as an attorney, along with his business cards.
To make matters worse, Deans is accused of filing court documents and appearing on the record as a licensed attorney. The DA’s Notario Fraud Unit of the Consumer Protection Division is investigating Case BA499952 – with assistance from the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs and the State Bar of California.
The alleged poseur-attorney (55) faces nine counts – three felony counts each of grand theft and practicing law without being a member of the State Bar after a prior conviction, two counts each of preparing false documentary evidence and one count of perjury by declaration – all felonies. Criminal complaint allegations include Deans’ 1999 criminal threats, and prior convictions from 2010 for unlawful law practice.
The case was filed for warrant on October 27th.The arraignment will take place in Foltz Criminal Justice Center. If you believe that you may have been a victim in this case – you are encouraged to call the Consumer Protection hotline at (213) 974-1452.
