Lawyer's Sleazy Tactics in Defending Stalker Cost Him His License

Lawyer's Sleazy Tactics in Defending Stalker Cost Him His License A Los Angeles attorney is expected to lose his law license after pleading no contest to criminal charges that he pressured a witness against testifying against his client in a stalking case, according to the Los Angeles County, Calif., district attorney's office.

Sean Erenstoft of the Law Office of Sean Erenstoft in Sherman Oaks, Calif., entered his plea on Wednesday on one count of attempting to dissuade a witness. Erenstoft, who was admitted to practice in California in 1992, faces automatic disbarment because he committed a felony "that involves moral turpitude," according to the State Bar of California.

Erenstoft is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 15. He is expected to receive a sentence of three years' probation and 100 hours of community service and be required to pay more than $9,000 in restitution to the victim.

According to the district attorney's office, Erenstoft filed a civil action against the witness in order to dissuade her from testifying against his client during a preliminary hearing. He dropped the case after the witness testified favorably during his client's sentencing hearing. Erenstoft was indicted in January.

Erenstoft's attorney, James E. Blatt of the Law Offices of James E. Blatt in Los Angeles, did not return a call for comment.