Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Page 3
Glendale Man Charged With Practicing Without License Ordered to Stand Trial
By a MetNews Staff Writer
A Glendale man whom prosecutors accuse of practicing law without a license for more than 30 years was bound over for trial on multiple theft counts yesterday.
Irwin Trester, 61, is charged with seven counts of grand theft, one count of possession of an assault weapon, and one count of unauthorized practice. All of the charged offenses, except unauthorized practice, are felonies, Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth Munisoglu said in a release.
The prosecutor explained that Trester is a member of the Kansas bar who failed the California bar exam four times in 1968 and 1969. “Undeterred by his failure, he set up his own law practice in Los Angeles as the ëLaw Offices of Irwin Trester,’ “the prosecutor said. She said he advertised in the Yellow Pages and on a Web site that promoted “legal services.”.
A Web search yesterday revealed a page for “Irwin Trester & Associates,” offering services in the field of employment relations. The page describes Trester as being “in private practice” and said he “concentrates on management’s position regarding labor relations, including the employment of aliens” and “has also represented law enforcement officers and fire fighters, unions and union dissidents.”
Various admissions and affiliations are listed, including the State Bar of Kansas. There is no reference to California admission nor any specific reference to legal services.
The prosecutor claims that while posing as a California lawyer, Trester represented a number of well-known entities, including the Hollywood Wax Museum, the Best Western Executive Inn, and SEIU Local 99.
The grand theft charges relate to more than $132,000 in fees allegedly obtained by Trester between January 1995 and October 2003 under the false pretense that he was qualified to practice in California. The district attorney investigated after a client complained of incorrect legal advice that caused the client to be sued, then learned Trester was unlicensed, the release said.
Copyright 2005, Metropolitan News Company