Category Archives: Bar Complaints Grievances
When the Bar Comes Calling: How to Handle a Grievance Investigation the Right Way
Getting a letter from The Florida Bar is enough to ruin anyone’s week. Maybe a former client filed a complaint over a fee dispute. Maybe opposing counsel reported a perceived rule violation out of spite. Whatever the trigger, the question that matters now is simple: what do you do next? Understand What Stage You’re… Read More »
What Happens When a Florida Bar Complaint Is Filed Against an Attorney
Filing a complaint against an attorney, or defending against one, can feel like stepping into an unfamiliar process with real professional consequences on the line. Understanding how the system actually works can make it far less intimidating. Where Every Complaint Begins Every disciplinary matter against a Florida lawyer starts at The Florida Bar’s Attorney… Read More »
Florida Bar Association: Ticket “App” is Practicing Law Without a License
You must have a license to practice law in Florida—but what constitutes the “practice of law” is not always clear. Modern technology has created some additional confusion. According to reporting from Bloomberg Law, the Florida Supreme Court will soon decide if a commercial “ticket app” was improperly practicing law without a license in Florida…. Read More »
Three Reasons Why Representing Yourself Against a Bar Complaint Could Be a Serious Mistake
Are you facing a bar complaint from a current or former client? If so, the complaint could put a tremendous amount of pressure and strain on you and your legal practice. You need to know how to navigate the process and protect your career. As explained by The Florida Bar, complaints and other attorney… Read More »
What to Expect During the Grievance Committee in Florida
Whenever lawyers are put on notice that they are being investigated through the Florida Bar Disciplinary Process, their case may proceed to the Grievance Committee for further investigation. For many, the word “Grievance” does not make it sound like something good is about to happen. So, what is it and what should lawyers expect… Read More »
Former Governor Mike Huckabee has Filed a Bar Complaint Against Florida Lawyer in Twitter Dispute
According to reporting from The Daily Beast, Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas Governor and presidential candidate, has filed a bar complaint against a Florida attorney over a tweet. The complaint—which can be accessed online—alleges that a Santa Rosa Beach, FL lawyer violated professional rules of conduct by sending a disparaging tweet. For his part,… Read More »
Judge: Miami Law Firm’s Contingency Fee Ruled ‘Excessive’
On October 16th, 2019, a United States Bankruptcy Court judge ruled that a Miami law firm’s fees were “excessive”, declining to enforce a lien against a legal recovery. The case (In re: Miami Beverley, LLC) centered around a creditor—Miami Development & Holdings LLC—that switched its legal counsel in the middle of bankruptcy proceedings. Excessive… Read More »
Florida Supreme Court Finds Lawyer Guilty of Professional Misconduct—Rejects a Referee’s Conclusions
On November 7th, 2019, the Florida Supreme Court overturned the decision of an independent referee, which found a Miami-based criminal defense lawyer not guilty of professional misconduct. In the case of The Florida Bar v. Jonathan Stephen Schwartz, the state’s highest court disapproved of a referee’s findings, determining that she misapplied an ethical rule…. Read More »
Florida Lawyer Faces Suspension for Missing Deadlines, Failing to Respond to Client
According to reporting from the Florida Record, a Broward County, FL lawyer is facing a suspension for missing key statutory deadlines and failing to adequately communicate with a client. Indeed, the lawyer is now facing a 90-day suspension and a subsequent three-year probation from the Florida Bar Association. Here, our West Palm Beach bar… Read More »
South Florida Lawyer Warns Other Legal Professionals Against Being “Too Trusting”
According to reporting from Law.com, a West Palm Beach, Florida attorney had her license to practice law suspended for three years. The disciplinary action came after her former bookkeeper allegedly stole more than $150,000 from her law firm. In reviewing the proceedings, the Florida Supreme Court found that this attorney took immediate action to… Read More »