The Florida Supreme Court recently disciplined eight attorneys — disbarring one, revoking the licenses of three, suspending two and reprimanding two. 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.
Gainesville
Joshua Mark Silverman, public reprimand. Admitted to practice in 2001, Silverman was held in contempt and given a public reprimand following an order to show cause. Silverman failed to respond to multiple Bar inquiries. Once he did respond, the response was untimely.
West Palm Beach
Suzanne Mandich, suspended for 91 days. Admitted to practice in 2013, Mandich let her assistant take the court-mandated parenting course online for a client, and thereafter filed with the court a certification that the client completed the course.
At a later deposition, Mandich did not prevent her client from testifying that he had completed the course himself, nor did she correct the record in that regard.
Tampa
Patricia Anne Bronson, disciplinary revocation without leave to apply for readmission. Admitted to practice in 2007, Bronson pled guilty to reckless driving and received a withhold of adjudication. She was sentenced to 12 months of probation with special terms and conditions.
In a second matter, Bronson pled guilty to one count of introduction of contraband into a detention facility, a third-degree felony. On that same date, the trial court entered a judgment in the case, withheld adjudication and sentenced Bronson to 18 months of probation with special terms and conditions.
Miami
Xenia Hernández, suspended. Admitted to practice in 2017, Hernández’s misappropriation of client funds, her use of the funds for her own benefit or the benefit of her firm, shortages in her trust account ranging from at least $169,000 to $381,000, and improper disbursements for a client using other clients’ funds prompted the Bar to seek emergency suspension.
Gregory F. Pillon, disciplinary revocation without leave to seek readmission. Admitted to practice in 2004, Pillon petitioned for disciplinary revocation without leave to seek readmission following allegations that while disbarred, Pillon worked as an independent contractor with a licensed attorney in a real estate transaction and engaged in the unauthorized practice of law.
Pillon participated in the sale negotiations, communicated directly with the client-buyer and answered seller-complainant’s emails giving legal advice. Pillon did not file the required quarterly report with The Florida Bar. The court granted the petition, effective immediately.
Fort Lauderdale
Thomas Grant Neusom, disbarred. Admitted to practice in 2007, Neusom failed to respond to multiple official Bar inquiries regarding the investigation of three separate Bar matters. Additionally, Neusom failed to respond to an order to show cause entered by the Supreme Court of Florida. Accordingly, the Court found Neusom in contempt and issued an order of disbarment.
Coconut Creek
David Jay Bernstein, disciplinary revocation with leave to seek readmission after five years. Admitted to practice in 1994, Bernstein accepted fees from a client, failed to perform the agreed-upon services, failed to communicate with the client properly and failed to return documents in several cases. In numerous instances, Bernstein also failed to respond to investigative inquires by The Florida Bar.
Leesburg
John J. Vasti, public reprimand and ordered to attend Ethics School. Admitted to practice in 2010, Vasti failed to produce his client’s drug test results in a timely manner in accordance with a court-ordered timesharing agreement.
In response to questioning and discovery requests by opposing counsel regarding whether the drug test was taken as well as the subsequent results, Vasti repeatedly objected and instructed his client to not answer. Vasti’s actions resulted in unnecessary delay and prejudice to the other party.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida Supreme Court disciplines 8 attorneys, including one from Gainesville
Reporting by Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
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