The Florida Supreme Court recently disciplined 16 attorneys, disbarring three, revoking the license of one, suspending nine and reprimanding three. Court orders are not final until the time expires for the disciplined attorney to file a rehearing motion.
The attorneys represent law practices from across the state. Disbarred lawyers must wait five years before they reapply for admission, and those who reapply are required to undergo a rigorous background check as well as retake the Bar exam. Attorneys suspended for 91 days and longer must demonstrate rehabilitation in order to regain their law licenses.
Disciplinary revocation is tantamount to disbarment.
Wellington
Corey Matthew Ackerman, public reprimand. Admitted to practice in 2008, Ackerman was previously given diversion based upon an arrest for drug possession. The charges were dropped, but diversion to Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc., was offered and accepted. Ackerman was out of the country for significant periods of time that made compliance with the assistance program unacceptable. For that violation, discipline in the form of a public reprimand was offered and accepted.
Coral Gables
Steven Edward Amster, public reprimand. Admitted to practice in 1994, Amster, after receiving fees to represent a client in additional legal matters, failed to memorialize in writing to the client that the payment was a nonrefundable flat fee.
Ruzy Behnejad, disciplinary revocation with leave to seek readmission after five years. Admitted to practice in 2014, Behnejad petitioned the Court for disciplinary revocation with leave to apply for readmission after five years following allegations that he failed to distribute the funds to his client or the authorized payees immediately under the settlement agreement. Behnejad ultimately disbursed the funds to the appropriate parties.
Michael Joseph Murphy, permanently disbarred. Admitted to practice in 1978, Murphy, who was previously disbarred, engaged in acts that constitute the practice of law, in violation of the Court’s Order. Upon The Florida Bar’s petition, Murphy was held in contempt and sanctioned accordingly. Murphy has filed a motion for reconsideration, which remains pending.
Orlando
Brooke Lynnette Girley, suspended for 30 days effective 30 days following a June 26 court order. Admitted to practice in 2010, Girley holds an “of counsel” position at her father’s law firm. Following the entry of an order on directed verdicts in a civil case where her father was representing the plaintiff, she repeatedly made statements impugning the trial judge’s integrity on various platforms.
With reckless disregard of their truth or falsity, Girley made public statements accusing the judge of being racist and reversing the $2.75 million jury verdict in the case because the plaintiff is black. Girley’s statements eroded the public’s confidence in the legal system and even led to death threats directed at the judge.
Jerry Girley, suspended for 30 days and ordered to attend The Florida Bar’s Professionalism Workshop. Admitted to practice in 2007, Girley represented the plaintiff in a civil lawsuit. Following the trial court’s entry of its order on directed verdicts, Girley repeatedly made statements impugning the trial judge’s integrity on various platforms.
With reckless disregard of their truth or falsity, Girley made public statements accusing the judge of being racist and reversing the $2.75 million jury verdict in the case because the plaintiff is black. Girley’s statements eroded the public’s confidence in the legal system and even led to death threats directed at the judge.
Weston
Don Gonzalez, disbarred. Admitted to practice in 1993, Gonzalez neglected several clients, did not keep clients reasonably informed about the status of their respective cases, failed to account for and deliver client funds to a client, and failed to respond to the official inquiries of the Bar.
Lighthouse Point
Divya Khullar, suspended for two years. Admitted to practice in 2012, Khullar failed to supervise his nonlawyer representatives and allowed them to meet with the clients, discuss their case, present the client with a fee agreement and collect the fees from the clients.
Khullar failed to ensure there was adequate communication with clients and failed to ensure client matters were handled diligently. Khullar’s two law offices closed without notice to the clients. Khullar did not make restitution to most of the clients. In fact, the Oregon clients who did receive restitution only received it from the Oregon State Bar after their litigation and collection efforts against Khullar. Khullar continued to work with the nonlawyer representative without supervising him even after it became apparent that the nonlawyer was untrustworthy.
St. Petersburg
Amber H. Patwell, interim felony suspension. Admitted to practice in 2007, Patwell was convicted of one count of neglect of a child, a third-degree felony, on June 20. Patwell was adjudicated guilty and sentenced to 24 months of drug-offender probation.
Sarasota
William G. Schlotthauer, disbarred. Admitted to practice in 2000, Schlotthauer misappropriated at least $1,061,499 from trusts for which he served as the sole trustee. The court issued an order on June 26 disbarring him. After the disbarment order was issued, Schlotthauer filed a motion for rehearing that remains pending.
Daytona Beach
Kevin T. Vagovic, suspended. Admitted to practice in 2014, Vagovic failed to respond in writing to the Bar’s investigative inquiries. He is suspended until he makes a written response to the Bar’s investigative inquiry and until further order of the Supreme Court of Florida.
Gabriel F. V. Warren, suspended for 60 days. Admitted to practice in 2010, Warren entered a plea of no contest and adjudication was withheld to one count of the unlawful use of a two-way communication device, including but not limited to, a portable two-way wireless communication device, to facilitate or further the commission of any felony, a third-degree felony.
Tallahassee
Sarah Savannah Warren, suspended from the practice of law for 60 days. Admitted to practice in 2011, Warren entered a plea of no contest and adjudication was withheld to one count of the unlawful use of a two-way communication device, including but not limited to, a portable two-way wireless communication device, to facilitate or further the commission of any felony, a third-degree felony
Jason Alan Wiles, Tallahassee, interim felony suspension. Admitted to practice in 2006, Wiles pleaded nolo contendre on May 28, 2024, to one count of felony battery, for which adjudication was withheld. He was sentenced to 36 months of probation.
Jacksonville
Kenneth L. Williams, public reprimand administered by appearance before the referee and attendance at Ethics School. Admitted to practice in 1980, Williams willfully refused to obey a court order to proceed to jury trial after his request for a continuance was denied.
Jennifer Ann Zarka, suspended for one year, and a four-year probation upon reinstatement. Admitted to practice in 2023, Zarka received a five-year probated suspension with one-year active suspension for failure to comply promptly with requests from her client regarding the status of his legal matter, failure to hold real estate proceeds in trust or promptly deposit the sale proceeds into a court registry, and for making a false statement of material fact at a hearing held in a Texas Bar discipline matter.
Founded in 1949, The Florida Bar serves the legal profession for the protection and benefit of both the public and all Florida lawyers. As one of the nation’s largest mandatory bars, The Florida Bar fosters and upholds a high standard of integrity and competence within Florida’s legal profession as an official arm of the Florida Supreme Court. To learn more, visit FloridaBar.org.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida Supreme Court disciplines 16 lawyer from Wellington, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, more
Reporting by Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
