Jack S. Carey, 635 19th Ave. N.E., Saint Petersburg, disbarred, following a Sept. 14 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1951) (Case No. SC10-1399) Carey violated Florida Bar rules regarding conflict of interest. Carey represented a client for many years and oversaw her will through several amendments. After her death, the court found that Carey took advantage of the business relationship he had with the client and procured substantial benefits for himself. (Case No. SC10-1399)
Darlene Fernandez Carus, 7234 N.W. 66th St., Miami, suspended for 30 months, effective 30 days from an Aug. 10 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2001) Carus allowed an attorney friend to use her Attorney’s Title Insurance agent identification and trust account to conduct closings because the friend claimed to have minor problems with her own membership. Unbeknownst to Carus, the friend’s Attorney’s Title membership had previously been revoked. The friend, an attorney who was later permanently disbarred, was not supervised by Carus and conducted numerous fraudulent transactions resulting in a loss in excess of $1 million. (Case No. SC10-1535)
Michelle H. Clark, P.O. Box 173, Tavares, P.O. Box 173, Tavares, suspended for six months, effective 30 days from a Sept. 15 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1997) Clark
was placed on probation for three years in February 2007. She agreed to sign a rehabilitation contract with Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc. and pay restitution of $5,500 to two clients. She failed to comply with the court order. (Case No. SC10-195)
Fred Clinton Cohen, P.O. Box 13146, North Palm Beach, suspended for 90 days, effective 30 days from a Sept. 17 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1973) Cohen failed to properly supervise and shared fees with a disbarred lawyer who worked in his office as a paralegal. (Case No. SC10-353)
Robert Joseph Dorn Jr., 7815 W. Commercial Blvd., Tamarac, suspended until further order, effective 30 days from a Sept. 17 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2002) Dorn failed to respond to official Bar inquiries regarding a complaint. Also, the telephone number he provided to the Bar was disconnected with no forwarding number. (Case No.SC10-1491)
James Bernard Hayes, 5301 N. Federal Highway, Suite 130, Boca Raton, permanently disbarred effective immediately, following an Aug. 24 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1978) Hayes misappropriated client trust funds and converted them for his own purposes. (Case No. SC10-939)
Robin Ann Hellman, 12000 N.E. 8th Ave., Miami, disbarred effective retroactive to May 14, following a Sept. 17 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1998) Hellman misappropriated client funds. She consistently transferred client funds from her trust account to her operating account. (Case No. SC10-1018)
Joel Scott Jacobi, 12555 Biscayne Blvd. #844, North Miami, suspended for 91 days, effective 30 days from a Sept. 21 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1997) While running for reelection to a city council seat, Jacobi made false or misleading statements under oath regarding his residency. He was issued a letter of reprimand and required to pay $3,500 in fines by the Ethics Commission. Jacobi later resigned his seat after an opponent filed a lawsuit seeking his removal from the council. In another matter, Jacobi failed to appear at a hearing in a client matter, resulting in a judgment against his client, which Jacobi subsequently satisfied after a bar grievance was filed. (Case No.SC10-400)
Jussi Kustaa Kivisto, 1010 10th Ave. N. #2, Lake Worth, disbarred effective immediately, following a Sept. 28 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1983) Kivisto established a pattern of willful, deliberate disregard for the orders of the court. His behavior included lying to the referee in open court, frivolous objections to discovery, repeated failure to appear for deposition and filing a federal lawsuit against Bar counsel. The court found that Kivisto’s defiant and inappropriate behavior was premeditated and carried out with deliberate malice aforethought. (Case No. SC07-2281)
Warren Jay Knaust, 530 49th St. S., Saint Petersburg, suspended until further order, following an Aug. 30 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1976) In August, Knaust pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution, a felony. (Case No. SC10-1681)
Raymond Edmund Makowski, P.O. Box 551174, Jacksonville, suspended until further order, effective 30 days from a Sept. 14 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1974) Makowski failed to comply with the Bar’s subpoena for trust account records.
(Case No. SC10-1363)
James Robert Mann, 1220 16th Street, Miami Beach, suspended until further order, effective 30 days from a Sept. 30 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1997) Mann failed to comply with a subpoena by the grievance committee to appear and produce trust account records. (Case No. SC10-1632)
J. William Masters II, 1229 Burning Tree Lane, Winter Park, disbarred effective Sept. 30, following a Sept. 14 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1973) Masters was retained to represent numerous clients and he failed to adequately do so. In some instances, Masters failed to communicate and keep clients apprised of their cases and he failed to timely respond to letters from the Bar. (Case No. SC10-415)
Joseph Barry Miller, 235 Porto Vecchio Way, Palm Beach Gardens, disbarred effective immediately, following a Sept. 15 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1973) Miller pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, a felony, in relation to money obtained as a result of fraudulent mortgages. (SC10-942)
Michael Palmer Nido, Jr., 10055 N.W. 54th Place, Coral Springs, suspended for six months, effective 30 days from an Aug. 31 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1996) Nido failed to file an answer to a Bar complaint and failed to appear at a final hearing in May. He also submitted false statements about his representation of a client and he submitted a sworn statement to the Bar that included multiple fabricated attacks on the client. (Case No. SC09-642)
Samuel Edwards Oliver, 2005 N. Meridian Road, Apt. G, Tallahassee, disbarred effective 30 days from a July 8 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1997) Further, Oliver shall pay restitution of $7,500 to one client and nearly $1,200 to another person. In several instances, Oliver was paid to represent clients and he failed to communicate and made misrepresentations about the status of the cases. He also failed to refund unearned fees to clients. (Case No. SC09-1739)
Byron Gregory Petersen, 600 W. Las Olas Blvd., Apt. 1105, Fort Lauderdale, to be publicly reprimandedfollowing an Aug. 26 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1976) In March 2009, Petersen pleaded guilty in court to three misdemeanor courts for criminal mischief and stalking. Adjudication of guilt was withheld and he was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to enter a domestic intervention program. (Case No. SC10-582)
Henry Neil Portner, 1001 W. Indiantown Road, Suite 105, Jupiter, to be publicly reprimanded following an Aug. 19 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1991) Portner disseminated a misleading direct mail advertisement for foreclosure defense and loan modification representation. (Case No. SC10-288)
Marc Benjamin Press, 6551 Arleigh Court, Apt. 102, Boca Raton, suspended for one year, effective 30 days from a Sept. 29 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1996) Further, as a condition of his reinstatement, Press shall receive a recommendation from Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc. Press was found in contempt for violating conditions of a November 2009 admonishment for minor misconduct. (Case No. SC10-1125)
David Kenyon Richardson, 7911 N.W. 72nd Ave., Suite 109A, Medley, permanently disbarred, effective retroactive to July 20, following an Aug. 19 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1994) Richardson admitted that he received client funds and he failed to preserve or use those funds for the purposes for which they were entrusted. (Case No. SC10-1601)
Adam Serper, 20500 W. Country Club Drive, Aventura, suspended for two years, effective immediately, following an Aug. 5 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1996) Further, as a condition of his reinstatement, Serper shall receive a recommendation from Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc. In April 2009, Serper was suspended for 91 days and ordered to sign a rehabilitation contract with Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc. Serper failed to comply with the court order. (Case No. SC10-946)
Mark David Swanson, 1521 Alton Road No. 684, Miami Beach, suspended for 91 days, effective 30 days from a Sept. 16 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1984) Further, as a condition of his reinstatement, Swanson shall receive a recommendation from Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc. In May Swanson was suspended for 50 days and ordered to pay restitution totaling $9,300 to two clients. He was also required to contact FLA, Inc. for an evaluation. Swanson failed to comply with the court order. (Case No. SC10-1402)
April Ann Arendell, 5342 Lake Margaret Drive, Apt. 523, Orlando, suspended for 45 days, effective immediately, following an Oct. 12 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2006) Further, upon reinstatement, Arendell will be placed on probation for three years and sign a rehabilitation contract with Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc. Arendell entered into an employment contract that created a conflict of interest and did not provide the customer with the proper attorney-client relationship. Arendell's employment arrangement created a situation in which she assisted in the unlicensed practice of law and shared legal fees with non-lawyers. She also failed to complete and communicate loan modification case statuses with clients; and she failed to maintain minimum trust accounting records and comply with minimum trust accounting procedures. (Case Nos. SC10-1057 & SC10-1145)
Antonio R. Arnao, P.O. Box 1086, Clearwater, suspended until further order, effective 30 days from a Nov. 1 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1988) Arnao was found in contempt for failure to respond without good cause to official Bar inquiries. Arnao ignored numerous requests for a written reply or call to The Florida Bar's staff. (Case No. SC10-1341)
Louis Barbieri, III, 271 17th St. N.W., Suite 2400, Atlanta, Ga., to be publicly reprimanded following a Nov. 1 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2006) Barbieri was conditionally admitted to The Florida Bar and placed on probation for five years based on alcohol abuse issues. He failed to comply with the terms of the Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc. contract. (Case No. SC10-857)
Debi Fay Chalik, 10063 N.W. 1st Court, Plantation, is publicly reprimanded by an Oct. 12 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1999) Chalik is also a member of The Kentucky Bar. In June, the Supreme Court of Kentucky publicly reprimanded Chalik for failure to timely file an advertisement. (Case No. SC10-1917)
Ryan Thomas Fasso, 2007 S. Pebble Beach Blvd., Sun City Center, suspended for two years, effective retroactive to April 26, following an Oct. 27 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2002) Fasso pleaded no contest in court to a felony charge of cocaine possession. As a result, he was suspended in April by the Supreme Court. In addition, Fasso was retained to represent clients in at least seven separate cases and he failed to communicate, missed hearings and oftentimes neglected to perform the work. (Case No. SC10-535)
Maurice J. Hall, 409 N. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach, disbarred effective immediately, following an Oct. 14 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1976) Hall admitted that over the past 10 years, he continually and systematically misappropriated client and third-party funds from his attorney trust account for his own purposes. (Case No. SC10-1953)
Jay Clifton Halsema, 4446-1A Hendricks Ave., Suite 378, Jacksonville, suspended until further order, following a Nov. 8 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1998) According to a petition for emergency suspension, Halsema is the subject of several Bar disciplinary matters. He was also arrested in October and charged with organized fraud. (Case No. SC10-2112)
Frank J. Ingrassia, 8931 Wiles Road, Coral Springs, disbarred effective 30 days from an Oct. 27 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1997) Ingrassia admitted that he is the subject of an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement with regard to his preparation of forged court orders. (Case No. SC10-2028)
Philip David Irish, 1920 N.W. 94th Ave., Miami, disbarred effective retroactive to Oct. 8, 2008, the date of his felony suspension, following a Nov. 4 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2003) Irish was adjudicated guilty in court of six felony charges involving drugs. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison. (Case Nos. SC08-1375, SC08-1552, SC08-1891 & SC08-2398)
Bruce Gregory Kaufmann, 1564 Oakadia Lane, Clearwater, suspended until further order, effective immediately, following an Oct. 27 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1988) According to a petition for emergency suspension, Kaufmann appeared to be causing great public harm and is the subject of several pending disciplinary cases. Kaufmann engaged in an intentional pattern of obtaining fees, controlling assets and forcing individuals to pay him before he would resign as trustee. (Case No. SC10-1973)
Scott Kramer, 6650 W. Indiantown Road, Suite 200, Jupiter, disbarred effective immediately, following an Oct. 11 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1982) Kramer admitted that he continually and systematically misappropriated client funds held in trust, including projected attorney's fees in some instances, before the settlement money had been received. A Bar compliance audit of Kramer's trust account from January 1, 2005, through April 30, 2010, showed ongoing shortages. (Case No. SC10-1925)
Paul David Lazarus, 1 Financial Plaza, Suite 2510, Fort Lauderdale, suspended for 60 days, effective 30 days from a Nov. 4 court order. Further, Lazarus shall pay restitution of $2,500.00 and be placed onprobation for two years. (Admitted to practice: 1977) Lazarus handled two separate criminal appellate proceedings in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeal and he failed to provide adequate representation. Lazarus was indefinitely suspended from practicing before both the 11th Circuit Court of Appeal and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. (Case No. SC10-826)
Guillermo Napoleon Lopez, 759 N.W. 22nd Avenue, Miami, disbarred effective immediately, following an Oct. 19 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2005) Lopez facilitated the misappropriation of funds by his sister, Maria Teresa Lopez, a now-disbarred attorney. Lopez also served as the settlement agent for numerous transactions in which he failed to disburse monies in accordance with the Housing and Urban Development settlement statements, including mortgages that were required to be satisfied at closing. (Case No. SC09-1803)
Gregory A. Meeks II, P.O. Box 353, Ocoee, disbarred effective immediately, following an Oct. 15 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2001) In November 2006, Meeks was suspended and unable to practice law in Florida. Meeks practiced law while suspended and he failed to inform the court or clients. In other instances, Meeks was retained by clients and failed to provide adequate representation. (Case Nos. SC09-437 & SC09-563)
Emmanuel Roy, 26 Court St., Suite 1503, Brooklyn, N.Y., disbarred effective retroactive to March 22, following an Oct. 19 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2003) Roy, who was also a member of the New York State Bar, surrendered his license to practice law in New York after being charged with 38 counts of misconduct. In October 2009, Roy was arrested and indicted by the federal government for his involvement in a multimillion-dollar mortgage fraud scam. (Case No. SC10-806)
James Patrick Tarquin, 1111 N.E. 25th Ave., Suite 501, Ocala, placed on probation for three years effective immediately, following an Oct. 12 court order. Further, Tarquin will participate in a program offered by Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc., during the entire probation period. (Admitted to practice: 1991) The state of Florida charged Tarquin for driving while intoxicated; a misdemeanor, and for misdemeanor domestic battery. (Case No. (SC10-1918)
Sam Thankachen, 7144 Stirling Road, Hollywood, disbarred effective retroactive to February 17, 2010, the date of his emergency suspension, following a Nov. 1 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1997) Thankachen received money from clients and other persons in exchange for ownership in real property or other ventures. The complainants did not receive the real property or other items and they did not get their funds back. (Case No. SC10-712)
Gabrielle Alexis, 4613 N. University Drive, No. 558, Coral Springs, suspended until further order, effective immediately, following a Nov. 15 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1996) Alexis was found in contempt of court. On multiple occasions, she failed to respond to investigative inquiry letters from the Bar regarding a client’s complaint. (Case No. SC10-1665)
James Joseph Egan, c/o the Mailbox No. 5705, PO Box 523882, Miami, permanently disbarred effective 30 days from a Nov. 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1985) Further, Egan shall pay restitution totaling more than $5,800 to four separate clients. In several instances, Egan was paid to represent clients and he failed to communicate, failed to process paperwork, made misrepresentations about the status of the cases, and was deceitful about arranged contract agreements. He has also failed to appear without good cause and without obtaining an order of withdrawal in some cases. (Case No. SC10-80)
Ninette S. Fletcher, 156 S. Charles Richard Beall Blvd., Suite 2, Debary, suspended until further order, following an Oct. 29 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2003) According to a petition for emergency suspension, Fletcher appeared to be causing great public harm. A Bar audit indicated that Fletcher misappropriated funds from her trust account and used the money for personal and business expenses. (Case No. SC10-2026)
Willie Jones, 1300 N.W. 17th Ave., Suite 261, Delray Beach, (Admitted to practice: 1993), suspended for three years effective 30 days from a Nov. 15 court order. Further, as a condition of reinstatement, Jones was ordered to pay restitution to the wrongful death claimants who were his clients. Jones settled a wrongful death case and made false representations to his clients about his own claims to the settlement proceeds and he was deceitful about the status of the litigation. He also failed to communicate with his client during the representation. (Case Nos. SC08-1234 & SC09-246)
Kurt D. Mitchell, P.O. Box 1055, Palmetto, suspended for 10 days, effective 30 days from an Oct. 5 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2005) Mitchell engaged in a series of e-mail exchanges with rival counsel that were disparaging, humiliating and discriminatory, and later engaged in a hostile confrontation with the same rival counsel at a deposition. In a separate instance, Mitchell made disparaging, humiliating and discriminatory remarks about his former landlord in the course of litigation between them. Mitchell also made a false statement of fact in response to a court reporter's complaint regarding his failure to pay for a deposition transcript he had ordered. (Case Nos. SC10-637, SC10-639 & SC10-1583)
Nicholas Francis Mooney, 201 E Kennedy Blvd., Suite 500, Tampa, to be publicly reprimanded following a Nov. 16 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1985) Mooney was found guilty of unlawful misconduct directed at opposing counsel. He engaged in a series of e-mail exchanges with rival counsel that were disparaging, humiliating, and discriminatory. Mooney also engaged in hostile confrontation with the same rival counsel at a deposition. (Case Nos. SC10-640 & SC10-1584)
Adam Ira Skolnik, P.O. Box 670583, Coral Springs, suspended for 90 days, effective Oct. 30, following an Oct. 6 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2004) Further, Skolnik shall pay restitution of nearly $5,000 to two clients. In one case, Skolnik entered into a business transaction with a client that presented a conflict of interest. In another case, Skolnik failed to provide competent representation to clients who, as a result, failed to receive a settlement in lawsuit. (Case No. SC09-960)
John David Todd, PO Box 551563, Jacksonville, suspended for three years effective 30 days from a Dec. 1 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1991) Further, Todd shall pay restitution of nearly $3,400 to clients in three separate cases. Todd failed to adequately represent the clients after being retained. In some instances, he failed to appear in court, he failed to communicate and he failed to refund client fees. (Case No. SC10-960)
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The following lawyers received public reprimands at The Florida Bar’s Board of Governor’s meeting on Dec. 10:
Gary Arthur Benson, 2955 Hartley Road, Suite 101, Jacksonville, publicly reprimanded on Dec. 10, as a result of a Jan. 7 court order. (Admitted to practice:
1975) Benson represented a client who owned real property and leased the property to another. The client sold that property to a third party and executed a title warranty deed and an affidavit of ownership. The affidavit stated that the client had clear title, that no other person claimed possession of the property, and there were no tenants, leases or occupancies affecting the property. The representations were false since the property was, in fact, occupied by the tenant. Benson as the attorney, negligently permitted his client to make that misrepresentation of fact. (Case No. SC09-2319)
James Reginald Flynn, 1401 Riverplace Blvd, Apt. 2709, Jacksonville, publicly reprimanded on Dec. 10 as a result of an Aug. 31 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1977) Flynn was hired by a client to transfer the title of certain real estate to the client and her sister. During the representation, Flynn failed to answer or return most of his client’s phone calls. When he did speak with the client, Flynn promised to mail her a package, but failed to do so and then failed to communicate with her at all for the next four months. In another matter, Flynn was hired by a client in a child custody case. Flynn was ordered by a Judge to prepare an order for contempt regarding the case and he failed to do so. (Case No. SC10-517)
Gary Michael Appelblatt, 3610 American River Drive #112, Sacramento, Calif., suspended until further order, following a Dec. 30 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1991) The Florida Bar was notified by the California Supreme Court that Appelblatt had been disbarred in that state in April 2010 because of felony convictions. (Case No. SC10-2463)
Robert Frederick Bethea, P.O. Box 5215, Jacksonville, suspended until further order, effective 30 days from a Dec. 16 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1980) Bethea failed to comply with the terms of a report of minor misconduct issued by the Fourth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee in November 2009. He was required to pay restitution to a law office and attend ethics school (Case No. SC10-2036)
Harry Robert Bishop Jr., 8738 Belarado Court, Tallahassee, suspended for 91 days, effective immediately, following a Dec. 22 court order. Further, Bishop shall pay restitution of $3,000 to one client. (Admitted to practice: 1988) Bishop was paid a $3,000 fee to represent a client in a divorce proceeding. He failed to attend the hearing on her behalf and he did not file the divorce papers or file a notice of appearance on the client's behalf. (Case No. SC10-448)
Colleen Meghan Bratcher, 2674 W. Lake Road, Palm Harbor, placed on probation for 18 months effective immediately, following a Dec. 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2000) The Florida Bar was notified by Bratcher's bank that a check written on her IOTA trust account had been returned for insufficient funds. In response to the Bar's inquiries, Bratcher produced records that were not in compliance with Bar rules pertaining to attorney trust accounts. (Case No. SC10-1290)
Allen David Brufsky, 475 Galleon Drive, Naples, suspended for 91 days effective 30 days from a Nov. 4 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1998) Brufsky represented a company with regard to certain claims to enforce intellectual property rights. He subsequently assumed corporate roles in addition to his role as attorney. Brufsky failed to advise the client of the conflict of interest and failed to obtain proper consent from the client for the assumption of those roles. Brufsky also failed to keep the client informed as to the progress of the litigation and took action on behalf of the corporation without proper authorization. (Case No. SC10-1765)
Byron T. Christopher, P.O. Box 55073, St. Petersburg, suspended for 91 days effective 30 days from a Nov. 24 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2005) Christopher represented a client in a divorce, but failed to keep her informed. In addition, the court removed Christopher from representing three criminal defendants and appointed alternate representation because of his failure to appear for scheduled hearings. (Case No. SC10-893)
Harvey Jay Goldstein, P.O. Box 240037, Milwaukee, Wis., disbarred effective retroactive to June 3, 2010, following a Dec. 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1987)
In April 2010, the Supreme Court of Wisconsin suspended Goldstein from practicing law for two years. Goldstein was charged with converting probate funds from three estates while acting as a personal representative, commingling funds, violating recordkeeping regulations and using trust funds for personal reasons. (Case No. SC10-1221)
Diego Handel, 149 S. Ridgewood Ave., Suite 220, Daytona Beach, publicly reprimanded and placed onprobation for one year following a Dec. 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1984) Handel failed to maintain minimum trust account records and failed to follow the minimum required trust accounting procedures. His inadequate recordkeeping led to several checks being dishonored. (Case No. SC10-1165)
Suzanne Marie Himes, 825 N.E. 2nd St., Ocala, disbarred effective immediately, following a Dec. 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1990) Himes failed to comply with the Supreme Court's suspension orders of January 27 and September 11, 2009. In a workers' compensation case in which Himes is the attorney of record, she failed to notify the presiding judge, the opposing counsel or her client of her suspension status and her inability to practice law. (Case No. SC10-718)
Philip David Irish, 104 Kimberly Lane, Kings Mountain, N.C., disbarred effective retroactive to Oct. 8, 2008, following a Dec. 30, 2010. (Admitted to practice: 2003) Irish represented a client in a bodily injury claim. The insurance company sent a $10,000 settlement check to Irish and requested it not be cashed without the signature of the client. Irish endorsed the check without permission and he did not disburse any of the settlement monies to the client. Attempts by the insurance company and its counsel to communicate with Irish were unsuccessful. (Case No. SC09-1473)
Gregory A. Martin, 1925 Brickell Ave., Suite D202, Miami, suspended until further order following Dec. 13 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1981) According to a petition for emergency suspension, Martin appeared to be causing great public harm by misappropriating funds and/or diverting funds entrusted to him. (Case No. SC10-2210)
Shelley Goldman Maurice, 125 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach, suspended for 90 days, effective 30 days from a Dec. 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1984) In violation of Bar rules, Maurice had direct contact and offered professional advice regarding a pending case, while suspended. In another instance, Maurice failed to provide a client with competent representation in relation to a disability claim. (Case No. SC09-2124)
Gregory Michael Nordt, 7501 N.W. 4th St., Suite 207A, Plantation, suspended for 15 days effective Nov. 18 and publicly reprimanded following a Nov. 10 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1995) Nordt disseminated a direct mail advertisement that was misleading and deceptive. (Case No. SC10-2137)
Alfredo Padron Jr., 8105 N.W. 155th St., Miami Lakes, disbarred effective immediately, following a Nov. 9 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1994) An audit revealed that Padron misappropriated client funds to satisfy personal obligations and other clients' liabilities.(Case No. SC10-1666)
Maria Teresa Rodriguez, P.O. Box 1155, Safety Harbor, suspended until further order, effective 30 days from a Dec. 29 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1999) Rodriguez failed to successfully pass the ethics portion of the Bar exam as required by the Supreme Court's order entered on Nov. 2, 2006. (Case No. SC09-2365)
Leonardo Adrian Roth, 201 S. Biscayne Blvd., Suite 905, Miami, suspended until further order, following a Nov. 8 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1988) According to a petition for emergency suspension, Roth appeared to be causing great public harm by the misappropriation and/or the diversion of funds entrusted to him. The auditor found numerous trust account violations and a failure to produce all the required bank records requested in the Bar's subpoena. Roth, along with law partner Mark Enrique Rousso and a non-lawyer employee, were involved in at least 44 business ventures unrelated to the practice of law. (Case No. SC10-2114)
Mark Enrique Rousso, 1000 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd., Hallandale Beach, suspended until further order, following a Nov. 8 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1991) According to a petition for emergency suspension, Rousso appeared to be causing great public harm by the misappropriation and/or diversion of funds entrusted to him. The auditor found numerous trust account violations and a failure to produce all the required bank records requested in the Bar's subpoena. Rousso, along with law partner Leonardo Adrian Roth and a non-lawyer employee, were involved in at least 44 business ventures unrelated to the practice of law. (Case No. SC10-2113)
Wallace Rosales Rozefort, 5685 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, disbarred for 10 years, effective retroactive to Oct. 25, following a Nov. 8 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2004) According to a petition for disbarment on consent, Rozefort appeared to be causing great public harm by misappropriating funds held in trust. Between September 2009 and January 2010, Rozefort transferred funds from his trust account to his personal savings account totaling $100,000. Since May 2006, a continuous shortage in Rozefort's trust account gradually increased to $530,000. In 2009, Rozefort's non-lawyer employee misappropriated approximately $16,000 from the trust account. (Case No. SC10-2166)
Nathaniel W. Tindall, 4012 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, publicly reprimanded following a Dec. 22 court order. Tindall is further ordered to attend a professionalism workshop and write a letter of apology to the judge. (Admitted to practice: 1974) Tindall represented a family that had lost a loved one as a result of a motor vehicle accident. He erroneously filed redundant claims in court and was charged with engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. (Case No. SC10-1616)
Lawrence Philip Zolot, 3864 Sheridan St., Hollywood, suspended until further order, following a Dec. 13 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1974) According to a petition for emergency suspension, Zolot appeared to be causing great public harm. An audit revealed that Zolot misappropriated client trust funds. He failed to follow proper trust accounting procedures and he failed to maintain minimum trust account records. (Case No. ASC10-2263)
Nathan Adler, 13620 Gulf Breeze St., Fort Myers, suspended for two years, effective retroactive to July 12, 2010, following a Jan. 27 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1996) In numerous cases, Adler was paid to represent clients and he failed to adequately do so. He often failed to communicate, failed to remit fees paid by clients and failed to respond to Bar inquiries regarding client grievances. (Case No. SC10-1494)
Gabrielle Alexis, 4613 N. University Drive #558, Coral Springs, suspended for 91 days, effective immediately, following a Jan. 26 court order, for non-compliance. (Admitted to practice: 1996) Alexis was placed on emergency suspension on August 4, 2010. She was the subject of several Bar disciplinary investigations regarding the misappropriation of client funds. Alexis failed to furnish the Bar with a sworn affidavit, as required within 30 days of the suspension order, listing the names of all persons and entities to which she gave notice of her suspension and provided a copy of the order. (Case No. SC10-2115)
Dania Arencibia, 5225 Linden Road, Apt. 7308, Rockford, Ill., suspended for 10 days, effective 30 days from a Jan. 25 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1998) Arencibia was arrested for Driving Under the Influence in Sept. 2009 after colliding with another vehicle. No one was injured. Arencibia was convicted of a misdemeanor and placed on six months of reporting probation, which included attending DUI school and performing 50 hours of community service. (Case No. SC10-2385)
Leon Becerra, Jr., 6780 Coral Way, Miami, disbarred for 10 years, effective immediately, following a Jan. 27 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1999) Becerra misappropriated and/or diverted client funds. He absconded and did not participate in the disciplinary proceedings. (Case No. SC10-1435)
John Lyon Broling, P.O. Box 2698, Lake City, suspended for 60 days, effective 30 days from a Jan. 27 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1996) Broling, who was also admitted to practice in the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, failed to comply with rules of the court and failed to respond with regard to three unrelated appeals. (Case No. SC10-1520)
Raymond O. Burger, 3200 Marilyn Drive, Moore, Okla., suspended for 15 days, effective 30 days from a Jan. 5 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2003) Burger was hired to represent a client in a workers' compensation matter, but he failed to represent the client with reasonable diligence and promptness. Burger also failed to keep the client reasonably informed and he failed to appear at a hearing. Burger did not respond to the Bar's inquiries regarding the client's complaint. (Case No. SC10-1521)
Patrick Cicalese, 129 Center St., Jupiter, disbarred effective immediately, following a Jan. 25 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1992) In June, Cicalese was adjudicated guilty in federal district court in New York, of three illegal gambling-related felonies. He was sentenced to three years probation on each count, fined $10,000 and assessed a $300.00 special assessment charge. Cicalese was also ordered to forfeit his interest in at least $4 million obtained as a result of the gambling offenses. (Case No. SC10-1331)
David Gordon Cornell, 6510 Brava Way, Boca Raton, suspended for 91 days, effective 30 days from a Jan. 27 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2001) Cornell was a defendant in a civil case in which he continually refused to respond or comply with court orders. He subsequently failed to respond to Bar inquires regarding the matter. (Case No. SC10-787)
Richard Mark Creel, 15275 Collier Blvd., Suite 201-218, Naples, disbarred effective 30 days from Jan. 11 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1987) Creel was retained to represent a client in a child custody matter. He stopped working on the case and stopped communicating with the client. When the client was finally able to reach Creel, she learned he had relocated to another state. Creel agreed to continue working on the case and handle the trial in Florida, but demanded an additional $2,250 to cover travel expenses. After accepting the money, Creel failed to perform any more work and failed to communicate with the client. He also failed to appear at the trial and failed to respond to the Bar's correspondence regarding the grievance. (Case SC10-1288)
James Daniel Eckert, 447 3rd Ave. N., Suite 304, St. Petersburg, publicly reprimanded following a Jan. 27 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1965) Eckert wrote a letter to a complainant threatening to sue him unless he withdrew his Bar complaint and apologized in a letter. (Case No. SC10-1308)
George Michael Evans, 1500 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Fl. 2, Coral Gables, suspended until further order, following a Jan. 20 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1977) According to a petition for emergency suspension, Evans appeared to be causing great public harm. Beginning in March 2007, Evans misappropriated funds in at least three cases, including transferring client funds from his trust account to his operating and personal accounts. (Case No. SC11-91)
Brett Feinstein, 407 Lincoln Road, Suite 2A, Miami Beach, suspended for six months, effective 40 days from a Jan. 4 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1992) Feinstein, in a management role, expanded the law firm practice into the area of debt negotiation assistance. The firm contracted with a non-legal back office service provider to handle the administrative functions of the debt negation practice. That entity improperly engaged in the direct solicitation of clients. An audit further revealed that the firm engaged in improper fee sharing with the back office provider. (Case No. SC10-2374)
Thomas P. Fox, 3825 Henderson Blvd., Suite 604, Tampa, suspended for 45 days, effective 30 days from a Jan. 19 court order. Fox is further placed on probation for three years. (Admitted to practice: 1976) Fox failed to diligently represent clients in seven separate cases. In many instances, he failed to keep them reasonably informed about the status of matters, charged excessive fees and failed to communicate. He also failed to maintain complete trust account records. (Case No. SC10-937)
David Eric Hammer, 1640 Wallace Road, Lutz, publicly reprimanded following a Jan. 21 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2006) While representing clients in two separate cases, Hammer acted contrary to his obligation as an officer of the court. In one instance, he failed to participate in discovery, submitted a proposed order without advising the court of opposing counsel's objection and without copying opposing counsel on the proposed order, and failed to appear at a deposition after the court denied his motion to withdraw. In another instance, he raised a meritless objection in bankruptcy court, without evidence to support the objection. (Case No. SC10-938)
Bruce Gregory Kaufmann, 1564 Oakadia Lane, disbarred effective immediately, following a Jan. 27 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1988) Kaufmann engaged in an intentional pattern of obtaining fees, controlling assets and forcing individuals to pay him before he would resign as trustee. He committed multiple acts of charging excessive fees, conflict of interest and using information obtained through his attorney-client relationships to his benefit and to the detriment of his clients. (Case No. SC09-574)
Mark Howard Klein, 2263 N.W. Boca Raton Blvd., Suite 209, Boca Raton, publicly reprimanded following a Jan. 7 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1986) Klein failed to respond to any of The Florida Bar's official disciplinary inquiries in a timely manner. (Case No. SC10-1660)
Warren Jay Knaust, 530 49th St. S., Saint Petersburg, disbarred retroactive to Sept. 29, 2010, following a Jan. 11 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1976) In August 2010, Knaust pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution, a felony. (Case No. SC10-1681)
Stanley Jay Lieberfarb, 270 3rd Ave. N., Naples, suspended for six months, effective 30 days from a Jan. 27 court order. Lieberfarb is further ordered to pay restitution totaling $185,000 to three separate clients. (Admitted to practice: 1974) Lieberfarb served as attorney and escrow agent in three separate real estate transactions that subsequently defaulted. In each instance, he had erroneously released the funds to the seller, so he was no longer holding the escrowed funds to return to the buyers. (Case No. SC10-1034)
Miroslaw Thomas Lobasz, 1106 N. G. Street, Suite D, Lake Worth, disbarred effective immediately, following a Feb. 3 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1994) Lobasz violated a suspension order of March 7, 2008, which prevented him from practicing law. Nevertheless, Lobasz practiced law after his suspension took effect by appearing at an immigration hearing on behalf of a former client. (Case No. SC08-1105)
Carolyn Dianne Olive, P.O. Box 13949, Tallahassee, suspended until further order, effective 30 days from a Jan. 27 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1984) According to a petition for emergency suspension, Olive is the subject of six Bar disciplinary matters, in which she abandoned her clients and refused to return phone calls, e-mails or letters. In some instances, Olive failed to file court documents or failed to create documents at all. (Case No. SC11-148)
Michael Tyron Rayne, 475 Harrison Ave., Suite 204A, Panama City, suspended for 30 days, effective 30 days from a Jan. 19 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2002) While representing a client in a personal injury case, Rayne executed an "Attorney Acknowledgment and Understanding" agreement with a Legal Finance company, but initially failed to disburse proceeds to the company in compliance with the terms. (Case No. SC10-1146)
Jodie Michele Siegel, 8845 Lake Park Circle S., Davie, suspended for 30 days, effective immediately, following a Jan. 25 court order. Further, Siegel is placed on probation for one year. (Admitted to practice: 1999) Siegel was arrested for shoplifting. Charges were dropped after she entered into a deferred prosecution agreement that required her to obtain mental health counseling, and complete an anti-theft course and 40 hours of community service. (Case No. SC10-2386)
Claudine Tanecca Smikle, P.O. Box 101084, Fort Lauderdale, disbarred effective 30 days from a Jan. 25 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2001) Smikle violated trust accounting rules regulating The Florida Bar. A client filed a grievance against Smikle alleging that monies being held by her were not properly forwarded. She was charged with trust account irregularities. (Case No. SC10-2384)
Douglas David Stratton, 407 Lincoln Road, Suite 2A, Miami Beach, suspended for 30 days, effective 15 days from a Jan. 4 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1977) Stratton's practice expanded into the area of debt negotiation assistance. The firm contracted with a non-legal back office service provider to handle the administrative functions of the debt negotiation practice. That employee improperly engaged in the direct solicitation of clients. An audit further revealed that the firm engaged in improper fee sharing with the back office provider. (Case No. SC10-2373)
James M. Thomas, 1581 Main Street, Dunedin, publicly reprimanded following a Jan. 5 court order. Thomas is further directed to complete ethics school. (Admitted to practice: 2011) Thomas was found guilty of professional misconduct for failing to keep a client reasonably informed and reasonably consulted about mean's to accomplish the client's objectives. (Case No. SC10-1085)
Stephen G. Watts, 1446 Court Street, Clearwater, publicly reprimanded following a Jan. 25, court order. (Admitted to practice: 1969) Watts received a Conditional Guilty Plea for Consent Judgment for violating a rule regulating The Florida Bar. Watts allowed his legal assistant to prepare a trust document for a long-time client and friend who insisted on making bequests to him and his wife. (Case No. SC10-827)
Donald Louis West, Jr., 352 Baywood Drive, Newport Beach, Calif., suspended for one year, effective 30 days from a Jan. 25 court order. Further, West shall pay restitution totaling $6,400 to two clients. (Admitted to practice: 2001) West has been found guilty of violations including: lack of diligence, lack of communication, illegal or clearly excessive fees and costs, and engaging in dishonest, fraudulent and deceitful conduct. On multiple occasions, he failed to respond in writing to any official inquiry by Bar counsel. (Case No. SC10-1223)
Peter Stephen Baranowicz, 1797 San Silvestro Drive, Venice, suspended for one year, retroactive to Nov. 3, 2010, following a Feb. 9, 2011, court order. (Admitted to practice: 1986) In one case, a client paid Baranowicz $8,300 toward representation for an appeal, wherein he failed to respond to numerous court orders and keep the client adequately informed about the case status. He failed to respond to the Bar's inquiry in this matter as well as other inquiries, one alleging his failure to pay for process services, and another alleging lack of diligence and communication in handling a criminal matter. (Case No. SC10-1232)
Jacqueline Jeannette Bird, 254 E. 6th Ave., Tallahassee, suspended until further order, effective 30 days from a March 4 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1988) According to a petition for emergency suspension, Bird appeared to be causing great public harm by misappropriating funds and/or diverting funds entrusted to her. Bird's offenses include writing herself checks on numerous occasions from clients' settlements, delaying delivery of client settlements, refusal to fully pay client medical liens and commingling personal and trust funds. (Case No. SC11-339)
Mark Irwin Blumstein, 4581 Weston Road #203, Weston, permanently disbarred effective immediately following a Feb. 9 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1986) In August 2007, Blumstein was disbarred for five years. Nevertheless, he continued to practice law and subsequently mishandled and/or misappropriated thousands of dollars in client funds. (Case No. SC09-1572)
Richard Timothy Cotter, 6100 Estero Blvd., P.O. Box 6868, Fort Myers, disbarred effective 30 days from a Jan. 25 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1976) Cotter abandoned his representation of a client in a probate case without notice and without leaving a forwarding address. The client's new counsel wrote Cotter requesting a final accounting and reimbursement for the client. Cotter failed to respond. He also failed to respond to the Bar's inquiries (Case No. SC10-945)
Todd Corey Deratany, 503 Fifth Avenue, Suite 102, Indialantic, suspended until further order, following a March 14 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2007) According to a petition for emergency suspension, Deratany appeared to be causing great public harm by abandoning his clients, failing to appear for court hearings and stating that he was unable to continue with the representation of his clients. (Case No. SC11-457)
Ryan Thomas Dosen, 108 Twin Creek Lane, Kennett Square, Pa., permanently disbarred effective immediately, following a Feb. 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2004) Dosen pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one felony count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. He acted as a settlement agent in two illegal real estate transactions in South Florida. His actions resulted in losses in excess of $2.5 million. (Case Nos. SC09-1613 & SC10-615)
Robert W. Frazier, Jr., 507 S.E. 11th Court, Fort Lauderdale, suspended until further order, effective 30 days from a March 2 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1977) According to a petition for emergency suspension, Frazier appeared to be causing great public harm by diverting trust funds as evidenced by a Certified Public Accountant and a Bar auditor. (Case No. SC11-324)
Penny E. Grades, 6346-65 Lantana Road, #103, Lake Worth, suspended until further order, following a Feb. 21 court order. Grades is currently retired, therefore the suspension is effective immediately. (Admitted to practice: 1996) Grades failed to comply with a report of minor misconduct issued by a grievance committee in June 2009. It required her to pay restitution of $1,000 to a client within 30 days of the report. She also failed to respond to the Bar's inquiry regarding the matter. (Case No. SC10-2436)
Leo Greenfield, 1680 N.E. 135th Street, Suite 200w, North Miami, disbarred effective retroactive to Aug. 27, 2008, following a Jan. 25 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1948)
In 1994, the Supreme Court granted Greenfield's disciplinary resignation (tantamount to disbarment) from The Florida Bar. In 2004, the Court entered an order extending Greenfield's disciplinary resignation for an additional three years. Despite being ineligible, Greenfield continued to practice law. (Case No. SC10-69
Willie Jones, 1300 N.W. 17th Ave., Suite 261, Delray Beach, suspended until further order, following a Feb. 7 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1993) Jones neglected his clients and failed to respond to Bar inquiries. (Case No. SC10-1950)
Alan Kelman, 6439 N.W. 43rd Terrace, Boca Raton, suspended until further order, effective 30 days from a Feb. 16 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2005) Kelman repeatedly failed to respond to Bar inquiries. (Case No. SC10-1733)
Bryan Alexander Kutchins, 3974 Tampa Road, Suite A, Oldsmar, publicly reprimanded following a Feb. 9 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1973) A husband and wife were involved in a divorce in Tennessee. Kutchins was hired in Florida by the woman's brother, solely to help him purchase a Florida business owned jointly by the couple. The wife obtained some of her husband's emails and forwarded them to her brother, who then forwarded them to Kutchins. Kutchins said he received the emails but returned them and did not use the contents to his client's advantage. The business was never purchased by his client. Kutchins also wrote a letter to the judge in Tennessee, stating his client's position in regard to the business and he attended a hearing in Tennessee, but he did not speak. It was alleged that the letter constituted the practice of law in another state. (Case No. SC10-1675)
Jeffrey Andrew Luhrsen, 7430 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, suspended for 30 days, effective April 10, following a Feb. 9 court order. Luhrsen is further ordered to attend ethics school. (Admitted to practice: 1993) In one instance, Luhrsen represented a client in a personal injury suit. The client needed money to pay his basic living expenses, so he accepted a $4,000 loan from one of Luhrsen's employees who owned a company that contracted to perform office work for Luhrsen. The loan was later forgiven at Luhrsen's instruction. In another instance, Luhrsen disseminated a misleading advertisement that he failed to timely file with the Bar for review. (Case No. SC10-634)
Cecilia Carolina Maluje, 7850 N.W. 146th St., Suite 416, Miami Lakes, suspended until further order, effective 30 days from a Feb. 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2003) Maluje repeatedly failed to respond to Bar inquiries. (Case No. SC10-2284)
Matthew Kimball McDowell, 13180 N. Cleveland Ave., Suite 111, N. Fort Myers, suspended for 10 days, effective 30 days from a Feb. 9 court order, and ordered to pay restitution of $1,725 to one client. (Admitted to practice: 1996) McDowell engaged in solicitation by supplying his business cards to the owners of a bail bonds company and by knowingly accepting employment as a result of their referrals. In a related matter, McDowell was retained by a client as a result of a referral, and he failed to adequately communicate regarding the status of her case. (Case No. SC10-2259)
Alan Martin Medof, 4355 N.W. 4th Ave., Pompano Beach, suspended until further order, effective 30 days from a Jan. 26 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1969) Medof was found in contempt for failure to respond to official Bar inquiries and failure to show good cause for non-compliance. (Case No. SC10-2165)
Shawn Louis Michaelson, 7274 Bedlington Road, Miami Lakes, suspended for three years, effective 30 days from a Feb. 9 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2001) Michaelson made several misrepresentations to his clients and the court: in one instance, he fabricated a court order by cutting and pasting a copy of the presiding judge's signature from a different order. He then gave the order to his clients but later denied having much knowledge about the order. Michaelson also billed clients for work that had not been formed. In another instance, he failed to properly communicate and neglected to explain the true status of a lawsuit to his clients. (Case No. SC10-1496)
Gregory Ernest Monaldi, 200 S.E. 9th St., Fort Lauderdale, suspended until further order, following a Feb. 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1994) Monaldi is currently suspended, therefore the suspension is effective immediately. In August 2010, Monaldi failed to acknowledge investigative inquiries from the Bar requesting a mandatory response to the sworn complaint of a former client. In November 2010, a grievance committee found Monaldi in contempt. (Case No. SC10-2348)
Matthew Glenn Palentchar, 16 Caton Ave., Colonia, N.J., suspended for 91 days until further order, following a Feb. 9 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2004) Palentchar is currently suspended, therefore the suspension is effective immediately. Further, Palentchar shall pay restitution of $750 to one client. In several instances, Palentchar was retained to represent clients but he failed to communicate regarding the status of cases. Palentchar failed to properly maintain his trust accounting records, he practiced law while ineligible, due to delinquent Bar fees and he failed to respond to the Bar disciplinary inquiries. (Case No. SC10-1401)
Douglas Randolph Peacock, Jr., 111 2nd Ave. N.E., Suite 900, Saint Petersburg, publicly reprimandedand placed on probation for one year, following a Jan. 5 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2000). One case involved Peacock's neglect of his client's legal matter and his failure to respond to discovery requests and court orders, for which he admitted to the court that he neglected the case. In another instance, Peacock failed to inform his client of an adverse court ruling and he failed to respond in a timely manner to the Bar's disciplinary inquiry. (Case No. SC10-1432)
Pablo Perez, 6251 S.W. 58th Street, South Miami, suspended until further order, following a Feb. 7 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1988) According to a petition for emergency suspension, Perez appeared to be causing great public harm. The Bar received 11 different complaints against Perez from former clients. They alleged they retained Perez to represent them in various legal matters including foreclosure and loan modification for which they paid legal fees, but he failed to provide services and eventually abandoned their cases. Perez subsequently informed the Bar that due to economic problems, he was forced to close his practice, but he planned to reopen in the near future. Perez then failed to have any further communication with the Bar or respond to any Bar inquiries. (Case No. SC11-201)
Jaime Roberto, 16877 E. Colonial Drive PMB #192, Orlando, suspended for one year, effective 30 days from a March 3 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2006) Roberto created a conflict of interest by engaging in sexual relations with two clients while representing them in separate, unrelated criminal cases. He provided both with financial assistance on several occasions and he asked one of the women to refer prospective criminal clients to him for representation. He never entered into a fee agreement with either client and he never received monetary fees from them. (Case No. SC09-1929)
James L. Soule, 7515 W. Oakland Park Blvd. #100, Fort Lauderdale, suspended for 91 days following a Feb. 8 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1994) Soule is currently suspended, therefore the suspension is effective immediately. In April 2010, Soule was suspended. Among the terms of the consent judgment, Soule was required to notify his clients, opposing counsel and the courts of his status and provide a sworn affidavit to the Bar listing the names and addresses of all persons and entities that received a copy of his suspension order. Soule did not submit the required affidavit. (Case No. SC09-2226)
MARCH 2011
Eric Jefferson Tinsley, 2000 N. Dixie Highway Suite 4, Lake Worth, suspended until further order, following a March 4 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2003) According to a petition for emergency suspension, Tinsley appeared to be causing great public harm. An audit revealed that Tinsley misappropriated nearly $11,000 from his trust account. (Case No. SC11-394)
John David Todd, P.O. Box 551563, Jacksonville, suspended for 91 days, following a Feb. 8 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1991) Todd is currently suspended, therefore the suspension is effective immediately. Todd failed to comply with the terms of the 90-day suspension he received in February 2010. He was required to complete a trust accounting workshop and earn five Continuing Legal Education credits in probate law within a year of the court order. He was also required to notify his clients, opposing counsel and the courts of his status and provide a sworn affidavit to the Bar listing the names and addresses of all persons and entities that received a copy of his suspension order. Todd failed to respond to the Bar's inquiries regarding the matter. (Case No. Sc10-2167)
Sheila D. Turner, PMB 49043, Atlanta, Ga., suspended for one year, following a Feb. 9 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1994) Turner is currently suspended, therefore the suspension is effective immediately. Turner was the subject of several Bar disciplinary matters involving client neglect, to which she pleaded guilty. In 2008, her conduct resulted in a six-month suspension. (Case No. SC10-1433)
Henry Nissim Adorno, c/o Yoss LLP, 2525 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Suite 400, Miami, suspended for three years, effective retroactive to Oct. 28, 2010, following an April 21 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1973) While representing plaintiffs in a class action, Adorno breached his fiduciary duty to the class by settling on behalf of the named plaintiffs only, to the detriment of the class. Adorno also took an excessive attorney fee. (Case No. SC09-1012)
Jon William Agee, P.O. Box 7358, Fort Lauderdale, suspended for 90 days, effective April 29, following a March 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1966) He is further directed to complete ethics school. Agee prepared a last will and testament for a long-time friend and client who insisted on making bequests to the attorney and his wife. (Case No. SC11-307)
Richard Lawrence Brown, 4440 P.G.A. Blvd., Suite 600, Palm Beach Gardens, suspended until further order, following an April 7 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1993) According to a petition for emergency suspension, Brown appeared to be causing great public harm by misappropriating client funds. An audit revealed that Brown converted at least $21,850 from his trust account and used it for personal and business purposes. (Case No. SC11-651)
Peter James Cannon, 3837 Northdale Blvd., Suite 367, Tampa, suspended until further order, effective 30 days from a March 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1997) Cannon was found in contempt for repeated failure to respond to official Bar inquiries and failure to show good cause for non-compliance. (Case No. SC11-130)
Theodore Ross Dempster, 801 Brickell Ave., Ph-1, Miami, disbarred for seven years, effective immediately, following a March 16 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1976) An audit revealed that Dempster misappropriated client funds to satisfy personal and business obligations, in a manner similar to a Ponzi scheme. Dempster has been found guilty of violations including: misrepresentation, and engaging in dishonest, fraudulent and deceitful conduct. The auditor found numerous trust account violations and a failure to produce all the required bank records requested in the Bar's subpoena. (Case No. SC10-1829)
Ryan Patrick Dugan, 12760 Stone Tower Loop, Fort Myers, suspended for 91 days, effective 30 days from a March 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2002) Dugan is further directed to complete ethics school. In representing several clients, Dugan failed to provide competent representation. In many instances, after being retained, he failed to communicate. He also failed to disclose to some clients about possible conflicts of interest. (Case Nos. SC10-1434 & SC10-1827)
Kelly Marion Fitzgerald, 1324 Seven Springs Blvd., Suite 165, New Port Richey, suspended for 91 days, effective 30 days from a March 16 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1996) Fitzgerald was retained to represent a client in a wrongful termination matter. She stopped working on the case and stopped communicating with the client. Fitzgerald also failed to respond to the Bar's correspondence regarding the grievance. Since October 2009, she has been ineligible to practice law due to her delinquent status for failure to pay Bar membership fees. (Case No. SC10-1222)
David Eric Hammer, 1005 N. Marion Street, Tampa, suspended for 91 days, effective immediately, following a March 31 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2006) In August 2010, Hammer was suspended on an emergency basis. He then failed to comply with the requirement to immediately furnish a copy of the suspension order to all clients, opposing counsel, and courts and to certify his compliance with the court. The matter was also referred to a referee for resolution of the contempt issues. (Case No. SC10-1970)
Michael J. Hernandez, 1625 Paramount Blvd., Montebello, Calif., suspended for 91 days, effective 30 days from a March 29 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1999) After being suspended for 10 days in January 2010, Hernandez failed to comply with the terms of the Court's order. He was required to submit a sworn affidavit to the Bar listing the names of all persons and entities to which he gave notice of his suspension. (Case No. SC10-2225)
Clint Johnson, 250 N. Orange Ave., Suite 550, Orlando, suspended until further order, following an April 11 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2003) According to an emergency suspension order, Johnson appeared to be causing great public harm by misappropriating trust funds for personal use. (Case No. SC11-622)
R. Patrick Mirk, P.O. Box 18201, Tampa, disbarred following an April 7 court order. Mirk misappropriated more than $31,000 in client funds held in his trust account. (Case No. SC08-1423)
Maurice Andrew Mooney, 3639 Cortez Road W., Suite 111, Bradenton, publicly reprimanded following an April 12 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1994) Mooney was the subject of two disciplinary proceedings to which he pleaded guilty. In one instance, Mooney was paid a $2,300 retainer to file a bankruptcy petition. He failed to file the petition and failed to communicate with the client for several months. In another case, Mooney was hired to represent a client in a mortgage loan modification/pre-foreclosure matter. He failed to keep the client informed regarding the status of the case. The client subsequently obtained new counsel. (Case Nos. SC10-1825 & SC10-2397)
James Edward Moore III, 33431 Washington Loop Road, Punta Gorda, publicly reprimanded following a March 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1969) Moore failed to detect that an employee had embezzled approximately $2 million from the firm's bank accounts over a period of approximately five years, which resulted in a loss of client trust funds. As a result, Moore failed to deliver trust funds upon demand made by certain clients. (Case No. SC10-1826)
Christopher Rumsey Qualmann, P.O. Box 940669, Maitland, disbarred effective immediately, following a Dec. 16, 2010 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1984) In September 2008, Qualmann was suspended and unable to practice law in Florida. Qualmann practiced law while suspended and he failed to inform the court or a client. He also failed to file any quarterly reports with the bar regarding his newly found employment, and failed to provide a written response about a matter after numerous inquiries from the Bar. (Case No. SC10-1929)
Herman Thomas, 2200 Rue de La Flore St., Mobile, Ala., suspended until further order, following a March 11 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1986) According to a petition for emergency suspension order, Thomas appeared to be causing great public harm, based on an order of disbarment from the Supreme Court of Alabama. (Case No. SC11-429)
Geri Lynn Hallerman Waksler, 18401 Murdock Circle, Unit C, Port Charlotte, publicly reprimandedfollowing a March 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1991) Waksler failed to detect that an employee had embezzled approximately $2 million from the firm's bank accounts over a period of approximately five years, which resulted in a loss of client trust funds. As a result, Waksler failed to deliver trust funds upon demand made by certain clients. (Case No. SC10-1824)
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