In a recent article for Ft. Lauderdale’s Sun Sentinel, Donna Gehrke-White writes that the Florida Supreme Court permanently disbarred two Broward County attorneys and a Palm Beach County lawyer from practicing law.

According to Florida Bar records, RJF of Hallandale Beach had been practicing law since 1958, but got into trouble when he was named a personal representative for a client’s estate. When the beneficiary attempted to cash a check from the estate, he couldn’t because RJF “admitted that he misappropriated trust funds,” the Florida Bar wrote.

Then RJF continued to practice law and tell clients he was an attorney despite being disbarred in May. The Florida Supreme Court found him in contempt and banned him from ever practicing law.

Two additional South Florida attorneys were banned permanently from practicing law after they were found to be in contempt of their disbarment. They also can never apply to practice law again, Kirksey said.

OJO was accused of failing “to record at least 17 original deeds and 21 original mortgages, exposing a title insurance fund to more than $10 million in claims exposure,” according to Florida Bar records. “A Florida Bar compliance audit of OJO’s trust accounting records determined that he misappropriated more than $370,000 in client funds.” This year he was found to still be practicing law.

AK of Boca Raton was permanently disbarred after he was found not complying with an Oct. 2 disbarment order, according to Florida Bar records. AK had been practicing since 2005. He had been ordered to notify all his clients of his disbarment and provide a sworn affidavit of those who had been given a copy of his disbarment order. But the Supreme Court ruled he hadn’t complied.

<strong>Attorney Lars K. Soreide, of 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 call (888) 760-6552.</strong>