The Florida Bar, the state’s guardian for the integrity of the legal profession, announced that the Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders has disciplined 21 attorneys, disbarring seven, suspending 10 and placing two on probation. Some attorneys received more than one form of discipline. Four attorneys were publicly reprimanded. Three were 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 87,000-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 Web site, www.floridabar.org.

Court orders are not final until time expires to file a rehearing motion and, if filed, determined. The filing of such a motion will not alter the effective date of the discipline. Disbarred lawyers may not re-apply for admission to the Florida Bar 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.

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