Case # 18-0-12456
Renee Goggans vs Mark Ankcorn, Ca State Bar association
Complaint
In 2018 I filed a complaint with the Ca State Bar association on my lawyer Mark Ankcorn who at that time and current was/is deputy city attorney. This is against San Diego charter. Yet the Bar gave him a pass. Kevin Lindgard was my inspector. I learned from another victim of the regulatory/judicial system of the 4 failed audits, and this gave me hope my case would be heard now by honest agency. Not so, the bar claims time has run out. That is the bar fault not mine and I ask to be heard. The bar claims my case was thoroughly investigated and adjudicated in closing my case. You will read what the bar association considers sound decision making in their role in protecting the public from bad actor lawyers. Below are 6 examples. I will provide documentation of proof for each.
1. Not informed on settlement offers. (Violation 3-500-510)
2. Conducting private legal work while serving as deputy city attorney. (Violation rule 1-300B((violation of city charter)
3. Padding hours (violates rule 1:5fees)(2-200)
4. Hiring bogus “experts”(rule 2-200-1)
5. Not advised on implications of taxes.( bad faith)
6. Breaking our retainer agreement. (Ca bus code 4147)
7. Won 667k then after Hansen closing brief lost ( violation 3-110, l) Went from 600k to 200k ??? Why?
I had 4 separate TCPA (robocalls) cases with Mr Ankcorn. 2 wins 2 lost. The first case won 70k. We split it 50/50 as per our agreement. The middle 2 I had to ask what's up as we were already into the last case. (This case). For the record, Mr Ankcorn said we lost the 2 cases, yet sent me a check for $1700.Then later Kevin Lindgard convinced him to send another check for 1700.. Not clear why defendant paid me if we lost. I suspect but can not prove we didn't lose. I just find it highly suspicious since the settlement I signed was for 100k. I was expecting 50k. . The bar admits to this in their letter too, they just don't get it right. See exhibit j for email after inquiry. The bar also admitted and confirmed my accusation that Mr Ankcorn failed to tell me about settlement offers. This alone is against the rules of conduct in their own book! Yet.
They still give Mr Ankcorn a pass by writing a disciplinary letter that no one will see and has zero effect.
The bar claims Ankcorn has a right to hire lawyers.
If you read # 6 on our agreement contract it says the fees cost come from the attorney's portion. At no time did I receive an invoice for hours billed on any case. Additionally, TCPA provides payment of lawyers' fee by losers. Of course, I can't speak to any of that because I never received any hours billed, or anything really besides some POA docs in the beginning of each case. He didn't charge me in the first case. Why now? Besides I google Ms Hansens website. She states her new entry into the TCPA world with 2 cases. So how is this a specialist? It was clear she was appreciative of the experience he offered her. She said this as we ate lunch. I noticed Mr Ankcorn twitched when she made that remark. Now I know why. He was going to claim her an expert and that remark didn't fit that narrative. I just thought she was cute and enthusiastic. I had no idea what was happening. I doubt she knew either. Easily answered though, call and ask her. I learned too late that she wrote a closing brief after Mr Ankcorn wrote his closing brief and we won 667k. Then she writes hers and the only answer I got from mark was the judge is fickle and changed her mind. I can't help wonder what happened. That's a lot to lose after told you won.
Important to notice the 1st case he did exactly what our agreement said. Split 50/50. Although I took his word with no settlement offer $70k Split was ok with me. Mr Ankcorn is bright, he knew he had 3 more cases and if he behaved bad on the 1st case I would bounce. All remaining 3 cases wrapped up very close together. In fact sept 2017 I was made aware we lost 2 cases. By that time the last case was in closing brief. So too late to bounce.
Interesting article from Nation Law Review I feel is important to note. Shows a pattern by Mr Ankcorn. I'll leave a copy & link, or search online, there are other reports of his suspect behavior. I'm just baffled he is allowed to continue. Here's a snippet from article.
“In the Judges words:
[i]t is clear that by encouraging high-value class members to opt out of the class to pursue individual lawsuits, Ankcorn harmed the class’s interests in violation of his fiduciary duty to it.”
Continue on to the last case, the big one. It went like this-
. I got a call from Mr Ankcorn while walking my dog. He was jubilant as he said we won! I joined in his jubilation and asked how much, he said 600k about, not definitely but yea. If you do the math 1500. X 430 calls is around that amount. It was a good day. Approximately a few weeks later, I get another call saying the judge changed her mind and now it's 213k. – 150k him – 17k defendants - me 33k. He pushes me to decide now. He says as fighting more may cause me to owe them money. I am spun and ask him to send a text or email me with details please, I can't do numbers in my head. At that time I was unaware of what a proper settlement offer looked like. . He sends over email, (*see exhibit B) I feel I don't have any option but to do as he suggests.
Highly suspicious now and speaking to friends including former lawyer friend, he convinces me none of this is right. From no billing to no settlement agreement. He says the whole thing is wrong! I then go to the California bar association with my complaint. The bar finds nothing wrong with Mr Ankcorn actions and closes case. (See exhibit)
The bar claims he advised me to consult a tax specialist, wrong. It went like this. In Mr Ankcorns final letter that included check for 33k.He suggests they haven't sent 1099 before but admits he doesn't know. So contrary to the bar's understanding, it's so not “explicitly stated in the agreement”. As quoted from their report. The advice and the check came at the same time. At the end. Too late to do anything. Had I known I would pay 64k tax on 33k I surely would have passed. With interest the tax bill is now 98k. IRS has a Lien on my property and good chance I'll lose it.
The bar ignored the fact he was deputy chief attorney. Makes no difference to me but if it's breaking charter rule then it's the bar's duty to act. They should care. They do not care at all it seems. I wish the IRS would look the other way on my issue but they are not.”
The bar claims times run out. Yes it has. Between 2.5 year off from COVID add to their blatant ignoring of evidence I provided.
I have accused Mr Ankcorn 6 times here. I also have given proof 6x in the documents included. The bar has confirmed one of the accusations. I feel that hiding settlement agreement alone are enough evidence for a hearing or another audit. Or something to help me out here before I lose my home.
Fast forward to now & Timelines & Dates
I learned of the failed audits in April 24, 2024 and contacted the appointed liaisons Enrique Zuniga through an email same day. After a few correspondences he called after reviewing my case. I began speaking and he cut me off abruptly and said among many things it had been 6 years and was too late. Yes, but 2.5 years of stop due to COVID the rest the bar blocked my access to justice. Certainly not my efforts wasted time. I have contacted every government office at least once. Enriques bedside manner needs work as a liaison. I left the call feeling hopeless again. It was clear to me he wasn't neutral I later sent another email asking for a letter so I could take that to the Supreme Court. I misunderstood what the SC clerk Simone Voltz had told me to send the letter of then 2nd chance case to them. All it meant was I needed permission from the bar to have my case heard by the Supreme Court. Which is ridiculous considering I am accusing the bar. Not expecting cooperation. The letter bar sent me was not signed just typed. I think worth noting. Also, by the same guy who reviewed me before. I was expecting a new name. 2018 & 2024 Abrahim Bagheri. On both letters.
I have included some docs and emails from Kevin Lindgard investigation. One email I am expressing to Mark my ignorance with respect to lawsuits because I've never had any. Already funky things had happened with Mark and at that point I think he knew I was close to bouncing but he had already done ¾ cases. It was too late. The State bar rule5-510 states “A member shall promptly communicate to members client; all amounts, terms and conditions of any written offer of settlement…”. Mark did not communicate to me he had multiple lawyers were going to take a portion of my half. Again, the First case went smoothly. 50/50. No surprise lawyers or confusion. The last 3 case all ended within a month's time. Or so Mark let me know of the middle 2 closer to the last case. I signed TSI settlement agreement in September 2017 Expecting 50k. . I have an email where Mark says he has a check for 1500. In November2017. Smart now that you think about that.
I got A 1099 from LoanMe and honestly thought it a mistake. Why would my government say I pay taxes on money I didn't get? Seems unconstitutional. I ignored it. Then the letters began with interest. I texted Mark asking why this was happening. He. Agreed, Said” I should only pay taxes on money you received”
. I understand this is because of Trumps tax law and not Marks fault entirely. Although I'm sure he is aware of the tax laws in his line of work. He could have warned me. Helped. Anything. The law went into effect 2018. I started cases in 2016. The whole deal is just wrong. It's a deterrent from lawsuits. Why would anyone knowingly agree to this?
Documents to support my accusations:
Exhibit A. - Retainer agreement (#6)
Exhibit B - Mr Ankcorn email detail money split u
Exhibit C - .Mr Ankcorn pushy follow up email Exhibit D - Final letter w check.
Exhibit E- original letters from bar.
Exhibit F- current letter from bar
Exhibit G- Printed article on Mr Ankcorn Emails screen shots Mr Ankcorn conversations
I can provide more email screenshots if requested.
Link to Article National Law Review- Eric Troutman, TCPAworld.
https://natlawreview.com/article/tcpaworld-justice-court-awards-over-600k-feestoattorney-who-engaged-troubling Link to hired specialist, Ann M Hansen http://hansenlegalllc.com/legalservices.htm
Authorities referenced
California state bar, Rules of Professional Conduct 2018 version
California business code
!!! I may have to send evidence file separately due to size.
Witness information
Mark Ankcorn +1 (619) 206-2613 mark@ankcornlaw.com Or
Office of San Diego city attorney. He is now senior attorney 1200 3rdave, #1620 San Diego Ca 92101
Kevin lindarto California bar association ( investigator 2018)
Enrique Zuniga. California bar association (investigator 2024)
enrique.zuniga@calbar.ca.gov
Simone Voltz clerk California Supreme Court
(415) 865-7198
