In orders issued Oct. 24 through Nov. 1, the state Supreme Court disciplined 22 attorneys.
Six are disbarred, nine had their licenses revoked and six had their licenses suspended. Two attorneys were ordered to pay restitution and one was given probation.
Four of the attorneys practice or practiced in Northeast Florida:
• James Joseph Boyle, 50 N. Laura St., Suite 2500, in Jacksonville, was disbarred immediately following an Oct. 24 court order.
Boyle represented a client in a criminal appeal but failed to file the appropriate paperwork, so the court issued an order to show cause. He then failed to respond to the court, which referred the case to The Florida Bar. Boyle did not respond to the Bar and failed to participate in the disciplinary proceeding.
• Earl Mayberry Johnson Jr., P.O. Box 40091, Jacksonville, was disbarred effective immediately following a Nov. 18 court order.
Johnson was suspended by the court beginning Aug. 12, but failed to notify his clients of his suspension and failed to file a complete and accurate affidavit as required. He also continued to practice law after being suspended.
• Cynthia Leigh Nichols, 221 E. Adams St. in Jacksonville, was suspended for 90 days beginning Dec. 2 with a three-year probation upon reinstatement.
An investigation of two insufficient funds notices for Nichols’ trust account found only technical violations of Bar rules, with no intent to defraud or disadvantage clients.
Additionally, Nichols served as ward for a client and that client’s jewelry was stolen by Nichols’ roommate, who also took care of the ward. Nichols was unaware of the theft and reported it when discovered.
• For Erin Rebecca Waskiewicz, 93 Calumet Drive in Saint Johns, the court ordered disciplinary revocation with leave to seek readmission after five years, effective 30 days from an Oct. 24 court order.
Waskiewicz was arrested for driving under the influence with property damage. She pleaded no contest to the reduced charge of reckless driving. The trial court withheld adjudication and sentenced her to six months of supervised probation with special conditions.
Waskiewicz’s Florida Bar disciplinary matter was diverted to Florida Lawyers Assistance Inc., and she participated in the program for one year until she violated the terms of the contract.
Court orders are not final until time expires to file a rehearing motion and, if filed, determined. The filing of such a motion does not alter the effective date of the discipline. Disbarred lawyers may not reapply for admission for five years. They are required to go through an extensive process that includes a rigorous background check and retaking the Bar exam.