A total scam artist gave me so called legal advice. Never came through . Have reported him to the State Bar Association. He needs to be in jail, this is the kind of person that needs to meet Bubba and be his girlfriend.

I am the owner/operator of a marijuana business in the City of Banning. I am also working with Mr. DeAguilera to open another marijuana business in the City of San Bernardino. Mr. DeAguilera is a former City Planning Director and a former City Manager. He knows all of the rules regarding zoning, building and safety and code enforcement. Mr. DeAguilera is knowledgeable, honest and hard working. He returns all of my phone calls very promptly. Mr. DeAguilera calls me about once a week to see how my businesses are doing and whether there has been any contacts by Code Enforcement or City Officials. Mr. DeAguilera has been an outstanding attorney, the best. Because of his background in City government he has also been able to advise me on all aspects of the zoning and licenses for my marijuana businesses.

If you want a suspended attorney (case number 13-O-16057-2) who doesn't use any conventional means of communication, not phones, emails, or cell, you found him! If you like driving to redlands everyday to get answers on your case, this is the guy for you! If you like to be told what you want to hear, only to find out the situation is the total opposite, this is the guy for you! He's only going to outsource any legal work you may need, anyway. He's going to call you everyday, up until you pay for the retainer. Then he will disappear and you will never hear from him again, unless you visit him. This guy makes Saul Goodman look like Johnny Cochran!
As the other reviewers have stated, he currently is suspended, and cannot legally practice law. However he still does... So basically if you want to throw away your money, like I did, hire him.

We are clients of Mr. James DeAguilera. We are responding to the negative review of June 6, 2019, by “Independent Solar” (Kip Greenwood from Detroit). It is wrong for Kip Greenwood to call James the architect Tom Steeno a “scam”. James and the architect are doing outstanding work on my behalf. We have spoken to the City Planners and they have also told me that the zoning of the property is correct. The architect Tom Steeno is reputable and the work that James DeAguilera and Tom Steeno are doing is what is required for the submittal to the City.

All you need to know about this crook, all the reviews on this site say the same thing (except for the ONE review obviously written by himself, lol James Algea he doesnt even do a good job of coming up with a fake name for a fake review lmao):
August 15, 2012

JAMES DEAGUILERA, 62, of Redlands was suspended for one year, stayed, placed on two years of probation with a 90-day actual suspension and he was ordered to take the MPRE, comply with rule 9.20 of the California Rules of Court and participate in fee arbitration with three former clients if they wish. The order took effect Aug. 15, 2012.

Deaguilera stipulated to 16 acts of misconduct in six matters, including failures to perform legal services competently, account for client funds, keep clients informed of significant developments in their cases or refund unearned fees, and he withdrew from representation without taking steps to protect his clients’ interests.
In one matter, for example, Deaguilera filed an untimely case management statement and did not respond to discovery requests, despite receiving all the required information from his clients. He twice requested additional funds from the clients, who paid him $5,000. When the opposing side sought terminating sanctions, the clients hired a new lawyer who requested several times that Deaguilera provide various documents. She also asked that he pay the $1,288 in sanctions ordered by the court, but despite his promises to do so, the clients paid the sanction.
He dismissed another client’s complaint after failing to appear at hearings, did not tell his client the court set an order to show cause because he had not filed a proof of service, and did not refund the client’s unearned $11,000 fee.
A couple whose home was sold at a trustee sale hired Deaguilera to set aside the sale. He did not tell them that their case was moved from superior to federal court or that their case was dismissed because it had no basis in fact or law. When he did bring them up to date, he accused the clients of failing to stay in contact with his office but didn’t tell them he had failed to respond to two dismissal motions. One of the lenders filed an unlawful detainer action against Deaguilera’s client, who paid him $2,500 to handle the case. Deaguilera gave the client, who speaks Spanish and did not understand what he was signing, a substitution of attorney form that removed Deaguilera as his lawyer in the unlawful detainer matter four days prior to a hearing. The client was evicted.
Deaguilera was privately reproved in 2007

Total scam artist. Has been disbarred since October 17 but still collected retainer money. Never came through with any legal services we paid for. Ripped us off to the tune of 10,000+. We are a small business so this hurt us. I blame myself for not doing better recon, but hey I don't have a lot of experience with lawyers.

Sends emails bragging about how he can help with licensing for dispensary, claims to have experience working for city and knows how to help, Will only be choosing 20 applicants. Takes money never returns phone calls nor emails! Secretary very rude! Its been 2 months and haven't got one call back on status. DONT WASTE YOUR TIME NOR MONEY!!!!!

Called to discuss case, started throwing a tantrum and asked us to report him to the bar for a refund after taking over 15,000

In a single word, Worthless. His nickname in the business should be Ol' Retainer Collector. You're better off defending yourself.

Made appointment door was locked waiting for 1.5 hours never returned my call

Horrible,
Borderline Sexual Harassment.
Rather argue with me then with the Courts.
Refuses to refund money having nothing to-do with the case