Tag Archive for: client trust accounts

THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT DISCIPLINES 26 ATTORNEYS

The Florida Bar, the state’s guardian for the integrity of the legal profession, announced on it’s website on March 31, 2011, that the Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders disciplined 26 attorneys, disbarring four and suspending 20. Some attorneys received more than one form of discipline. One attorney was placed on probation; two attorneys were publicly reprimanded. Two attorneys were ordered to pay restitution.

An official arm of the Florida Supreme Court, The Florida Bar and its Department of Lawyer Regulation are charged with administering a statewide disciplinary system to enforce Supreme Court rules of professional conduct for the 90,000-plus lawyers admitted to practice law in Florida. Since Aug. 1, 2007, case files have been posted to attorneys’ individual Florida Bar profiles and may be reviewed at and/or downloaded from The Florida Bar’s website.
The court orders are not final until time expires to file a rehearing motion and, if filed, determined. The filing of such a motion does not alter the effective date of the discipline. Disbarred lawyers may not re-apply for admission for five years. They are required to go through an extensive process that rejects many who apply. It includes a rigorous background check and retaking the bar exam. Historically, fewer than 5 percent of disbarred lawyers seek readmission. 

The Soreide Law Group, PLLC,  represents those seeking admittance to the Florida Bar, and existing lawyers, for both investigative hearings and formal hearings in front of the Florida Bar. For more information about our services please visit: www.floridabarhearing.com or call (888) 760-6552.

SUPREME COURT DISCIPLINES 27 ATTORNEYS

Summary of orders issued Jan. 4 – Feb. 3, 2011 from The Florida Bar’s website:

The Florida Bar, the state’s guardian for the integrity of the legal profession, announces that the Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders disciplined 27 attorneys, disbarring seven and suspending 15. Some attorneys received more than one form of discipline. Two attorneys were placed on probation; five attorneys were publicly reprimanded. Two attorneys were ordered to pay restitution.

As an official arm of the Florida Supreme Court, The Florida Bar and its Department of Lawyer Regulation are charged with administering a statewide disciplinary system to enforce Supreme Court rules of professional conduct for the 90,000-plus lawyers admitted to practice law in Florida. Since Aug. 1, 2007, case files have been posted to attorneys’ individual Florida Bar profiles and may be reviewed at and/or downloaded from The Florida Bar’s website.

Court orders are not final until time expires to file a rehearing motion and, if filed, determined. The filing of such a motion does not alter the effective date of the discipline. Disbarred lawyers may not re-apply for admission for five years. They are required to go through an extensive process that rejects many who apply. It includes a rigorous background check and retaking the bar exam. Historically, fewer than five percent of disbarred lawyers seek readmission.

The Soreide Law Group, PLLC,  represents those seeking admittance to the Florida Bar, and existing lawyers, for both investigative hearings and formal hearings in front of the Florida Bar. For more information about our services please visit: www.floridabarhearing.com or call (888) 760-6552.

FLORIDA SUPREME COURT DISCIPLINES 22 ATTORNEYS 10/28/10

On October 28, 2010, The Florida Bar, the state’s guardian for the integrity of the legal profession, announces that the Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders disciplined 22 attorneys, disbarring eight and suspending 12. Some attorneys received more than one form of discipline. Two attorneys were publicly reprimanded and one was ordered to pay restitution.

As an official agency of the Florida Supreme Court, The Florida Bar and its Department of Lawyer Regulation, are charged with administering a statewide disciplinary system to enforce Supreme Court rules of professional conduct for the 88,000-plus lawyers admitted to practice law in Florida. Since Aug. 1, 2007, case files have been posted to attorneys’ individual Florida Bar profiles and may be reviewed at and/or downloaded from The Florida Bar’s website.

The court orders are not final until time expires to file a rehearing motion and, if filed, determined. The filing of such a motion does not alter the effective date of the discipline. Disbarred lawyers may not re-apply for admission for five years. They are required to go through an extensive process that rejects many who apply. It includes a rigorous background check and retaking the bar exam. Historically, fewer than five percent of disbarred lawyers seek readmission.
This information was obtained from The Florida Bar’s website.

The Soreide Law Group, PLLC,  represents those seeking admittance to the Florida Bar, and existing lawyers, for both investigative hearings and formal hearings in front of the Florida Bar. For more information about our services please visit: www.floridabarhearing.com or call (888) 760-6552.

FLORIDA’S SUPREME COURT DISCIPLINES 18 ATTORNEYS 9/30/10

The Florida Bar, Florida’s guardian for the integrity of the legal profession, announces that the Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders disciplined 18 attorneys, disbarring six and suspending eight. Some attorneys received more than one form of discipline. Four attorneys were publicly reprimanded and one was placed on probation. One attorney was also ordered to pay restitution.

As an official agency of the Florida Supreme Court, The Florida Bar and its Department of Lawyer Regulation are charged with administering a statewide disciplinary system to enforce Supreme Court rules of professional conduct for the 88,000-plus lawyers admitted to practice law in Florida. Since Aug. 1, 2007, case files have been posted to attorneys’ individual Florida Bar profiles.

The court orders are not final until time expires to file a rehearing motion and, if filed, determined. The filing of such a motion does not alter the effective date of the discipline. Disbarred lawyers may not re-apply for admission for five years. They are required to go through an extensive process that rejects many who apply. It includes a rigorous background check and retaking the bar exam. Historically, fewer than five percent of disbarred lawyers seek readmission.

This information was obtained from The Florida Bar’s website.

The Soreide Law Group, PLLC,  represents those seeking admittance to the Florida Bar, and existing lawyers, for both investigative hearings and formal hearings in front of the Florida Bar. For more information about our services please visit: www.floridabarhearing.com or call (888) 760-6552.

SUPREME COURT PERMANENTLY DISBARS SCOTT ROTHSTEIN

November 25, 2009
CONTACT: Francine Andía Walker, APR, CPRC,
The Florida Bar

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Supreme Court has permanently disbarred Ft. Lauderdale attorney Scott W. Rothstein. The Florida Bar sought Rothstein’s voluntary consent to permanent disbarment on November 5, 2009, for failing to comply with Florida Bar Rules that are relating to client trust accounts.

The Florida Bar will continue to actively investigate any violations of its rules by other attorneys who may have been involved in this case, and will continue to work with the receiver and the other investigating agencies to protect the interests of the clients.

 
“Even though we could not comment initially, the Bar has been diligently working on these disbarment proceedings,” said Florida Bar President Jesse H. Diner. “We are satisfied that after learning about the situation in early November, the Bar’s case against Mr. Rothstein has been swiftly brought to conclusion.”

“I hope the public understands that one example of a lawyer being dishonest, no matter how serious the charge, should not tarnish the reputation of the many lawyers who work diligently to serve their clients’ best interests,” Diner said. “Virtually all lawyers who have spoken to me about this situation have been outraged by the debacle created by Mr. Rothstein and his firm.”

For information regarding disciplinary hearings in front of the Florida Bar, please contact Soreide Law Group at www.floridabarhearing.com or by phone at (888) 760-6552.  We represent those seeking admittance to the Florida Bar and exisitng lawyers in disciplinary actions.