Torts/Personal Injury,
Ethics/Professional Responsibility,
California Courts of Appeal
Sep. 15, 2025
Court fines attorney $30,000 over frivolous San Francisco appeal
An appellate court fined L.A. attorney Daniel Geoulla $30,000 for a frivolous scooter-injury appeal, upheld $8,000 in trial sanctions, referred him to the State Bar, and rebuked obstruction of discovery and examinations.
An appellate court fined a Los Angeles attorney $30,000 for an "objectively frivolous" appeal, referred him to the State Bar and affirmed $8,000 in trial court sanctions against his client, who sued San Francisco for $5 million after he allegedly crashed a scooter while drunk.
The plaintiff, Erik De Leon Morales, blamed a pothole, which the city said does not exist.
After brief and oral argument, the 1st District Court of Appeal panel sharply rebuked Daniel D. G...
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