The Florida Supreme Court has suspended six, disbarred four, and reprimanded three attorneys in the most recent orders. None were from North Florida.
The lawyers who have been disciplined:
Disbarred
Robert Bryan Cochonour, Toledo, Oh., disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately following an Oct. 14, 2004 court order. Cochonour engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation and engaged in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.
H. Robert Dowd Jr., Altamonte Springs, disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately following an Oct. 14, 2004 court order. Among several Bar violations, Dowd failed to provide competent representation to a client; engaged in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice; and failed to respond, in writing, within 15 days of the initial written investigative inquiry by Bar counsel, grievance committee, or board of governors.
Keith Aloysius Martin, Lauderhill, permanently disbarred from practicing law in Florida without leave to apply, effective immediately following an Oct. 27, 2004 court order. Martin continued to engage in the active practice of law, despite his disbarment more than five months before.
Raymond C. Miller, Ft. Lauderdale, permanently disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately following an Oct. 14, 2004 court order. Among several Bar violations, Miller failed to comply with The Florida Bar Rules Regulating Trust Accounts; engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; and failed to act with reasonable diligence in representing a client.
Suspended
Eduardo Cantera, Miami, suspended from practicing law in Florida until further court order, effective immediately following an Oct. 4, 2004 court order. Cantera failed to show good cause for his failure to comply with a subpoena.
Barney John Cummins, Ft. Lauderdale, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 30 days, effective 30 days following an Oct. 14, 2004 court order. Cummins must attend and complete the next available session of The Florida Bar Ethics School. Cummins committed an act that is unlawful or contrary to honesty and justice and engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.
A. Darren Jafroodi, Orlando, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 91 days, effective immediately following an Oct. 14, 2004 court order. Among several Bar violations, Jafroodi practiced law while suspended; had direct contact with a client; and practiced law in a jurisdiction where doing so violates the regulation of the legal profession in that jurisdiction.
Lisa Paige Lenn, Atlanta, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 91 days, effective 30 days following an Oct. 14, 2004 court order. Among several Bar violations, Lenn failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client; engaged in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice; and used trust funds for purposes other than those for which they were entrusted to her.
Elizabeth Martinez-Genova, Miami, suspended on an emergency basis from practicing law in Florida until further court order, effective 30 days following an Oct. 20, 2004 court order. A review of Martinez-Genova’s trust account revealed that there is clear and convincing evidence that she misappropriated client funds.
James Robert Mayfield III, North Palm Beach, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 91 days, effective 30 days following an Oct. 28, 2004 court order. Among several Bar violations, Mayfield knowingly made a false statement of material fact or law to a tribunal; failed to comply with Continuing Legal Education reporting requirements; and failed to respond, in writing, to an official inquiry by Bar counsel or a disciplinary agency, when conducting an investigation into his conduct.
Reprimanded
Jeanne Odom Conway, High Springs, reprimanded for professional misconduct following an Oct. 14, 2004 court order. Conway represented a client in which the representation of that client was directly adverse to the interests of another client.
Thomas Harrison Duke, Gulf Breeze, reprimanded for professional misconduct following an Oct. 14, 2004 court order. Duke entered into a business transaction with a client or knowingly acquired an ownership, possessory, security, or other pecuniary interest adverse to a client.
Denis Louis Ventriglia, Wilmington, N.C., reprimanded for professional misconduct following an Oct. 28, 2004 court order. Ventriglia is further placed on probation for two years, effective retroactive to Jan. 9, 2004. Ventriglia committed a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects.