from staff
Jacksonville attorney Ronald Bloom was suspended from practicing law in Florida by the Florida Supreme Court for 30 days following an April 10 court order. According to a statement released by the Florida Bar Association about Bloom — who was admitted to the Bar in 1972, — “There is clear and convincing evidence that Bloom appears to be causing great public harm by converting attorney fees previously assigned to accompany; soliciting loans from clients out of settlement proceeds; failing to deposit client trust funds into a trust account; failing to produce closing statements on settlements pursuant to a subpoena failing to maintain minimum trust account records; and being in possession of a controlled substance.”
Bloom has an office in the Riverplace Tower.
In addition to Bloom, the Supreme Court suspended one other attorney, reprimanded two attorneys and disbarred four attorneys. They include:
• David Emory Fleet, Destin; suspended from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately following an April 11 court order. On Oct. 7, 2005, Fleet was found guilty of 13 felony counts of wire fraud and aiding and abetting; one felony count of conspiracy to engage in monetary transactions affecting interstate commerce and involving criminally derived property of a value greater than $10,000, and aiding and abetting; six felony counts of money laundering and aiding and abetting; and one felony count of a false statement to a federal agent. On March 10, Fleet was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release under the control of a probation officer.
• Douglas Wayne Baker, Titusville; reprimanded for professional misconduct following an April 6 court order. Baker is further placed on probation for an indefinite period of time. Baker committed an act that is unlawful or contrary to honesty and justice; committed a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects; and failed to fully complete all requirements of the of the practice and professionalism enhancement program to which he was diverted.
• Rodney Bernard Robinson, Miami; reprimanded for professional misconduct following a Nov. 10, 2005 court order. Robinson is further placed on probation for three years. Robinson engaged in misconduct and minor misconduct; violated or attempted to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct, knowingly assisted or induced another to do so, or did so through the acts of another; and committed a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects.
• David J. Beasley, Altamonte Springs; disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately following a March 9 court order. Among several Bar violations, Beasley committed a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects; engaged in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice; and violated some of the Rules Regulating Trust Accounts.
• James Anthony Scandirito, Pompano Beach: disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective 30 days following an April 13 court order. Scandirito is not eligible for readmission in Florida unless and until his Michigan license is reinstated. Among several Bar violations, Scandirito engaged in misconduct and minor misconduct; violated or attempted to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct, knowingly assisted or induced another to do so, or did so through the acts of another; and engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
• Henry Bryant Sims, Palm Beach: disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately following an April 26 court order. Sims failed to show cause on or before March 21 why he should not be held in contempt of the Supreme Court of Florida and disbarred from the practice of law.
• Mark Anthony Valentine, Coconut Grove: disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately following an April 20 court order. Valentine engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; engaged in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice; and violated some of the Rules Regulating Trust Accounts.