A prominent Tallahassee attorney will receive a public reprimand because she failed to adequately communicate with a client during a prolonged legal dispute, The Florida Bar said in a Sept. 30 news release.
Marie Mattox will be reprimanded by publication in the Southern Reporter, according to a Sept. 4 order by the Florida Supreme Court. (The Bar regulates the state’s over 114,000 attorneys; the Supreme Court disciplines them based on the Bar’s recommendation.)
A client had retained Mattox for a wrongful termination case that was settled with an agreement that required the opposing party to pay $50,000 within 30 days, according to the release.
“The opposing party failed to pay within the timeframe and subsequently filed for bankruptcy,” the release said. “Mattox did not respond to her client’s requests for updates on both the initial case and the bankruptcy hearings.”
The case devolved into bankruptcy court, where client was awarded around $4,400. But “for eight months after, the client was unable to reach Mattox,” the release said. “Finally, the client executed a settlement statement and received a check for $3,375.93.” Reached Oct. 1, Mattox declined comment.
Who is Marie Mattox?
Mattox has long been a thorn in the side of local and state government, filing hundreds, if not thousands, of civil-rights and employment discrimination cases over the past few decades, many of which have resulted in favorable verdicts or settlements. She was first admitted to practice in 1988.
Some of her more recent cases include suing the city of Tallahassee on behalf of City Hall critic Stanley Sims for what he said were violations of his First Amendment rights.
She also is representing longtime local radio personality and FAMU Marching 100 announcer Joe Bullard in a suit against his former radio station-employer for age discrimination, among other claims.
And Mattox took the case of ex-Florida Department of Environmental Protection employee James Gaddis, who said in a whistleblower complaint that Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration worked to keep secret a plan to build golf courses, pickleball courts and luxury hotels at nine state parks.
Her law office is on the corner of Call and Gadsden streets on the outskirts of Tallahassee’s downtown.
Local government watchdog reporter Elena Barrera can be reached at ebarrera@tallahassee.com. Follow her on X: @elenabarreraaa.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee attorney Marie Mattox to receive public reprimand
Reporting by Elena Barrera, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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