The Florida Supreme Court has disciplined 15 attorneys in recent court orders, reprimanding seven, suspending four, accepting the resignation of three, and disbarring one attorney.
No Northeast Florida attorneys were on the list.
Court orders are not final until time expires to file a rehearing motion and, if filed, determined but the filing of such a motion does not alter the effective date of the discipline.
The disciplinary actions:
Disbarred
Keith Douglas Baron, 10200 Reflections Blvd., Apt. 104, Sunrise, continued to practice law while suspended.
Suspended
Steven Ray Brownstein, 1320 S. Dixie Hwy., Ph. 1275, Coral Gables. Brownstein failed to comply with a properly issued subpoena for trust account records and failed to show good cause for his failure to comply.
Michael Wilson Dugger, 1017 Thomasville Road, Ste. A, Tallahassee. Dugger failed to provide competent representation to a client; failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client; and engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
Alan E. Fielitz, 4388 Clark St., Hamburg, N.Y. On Dec. 31, 2003, the New York Supreme Court suspended Fielitz for one year. He engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice; and engaged in misconduct and minor misconduct.
Robert Haynes Roundtree II, 600 N. Pine Island Road, Ste. 450, Plantation. Roundtree must pass the ethics portion of the Florida Bar Examination as a condition precedent to reinstatement. Among several Bar violations, Roundtree failed to provide competent representation to a client; failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client; and neglected to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation.
Resigned
Brian James Almengual, P.O. Box 923, Odessa, resigned with leave to seek readmission after five years. At the time of his resignation, Almengual had several cases pending at the Grievance Committee and staff levels of investigation.
Brandy Cea Hill, P.O. Box 951121, Lake Mary. At the time of resignation, a complaint was pending against Hill alleging that she misappropriated trust funds, had shortages in her trust account, and used her trust account to pay for personal items.
Michael Richard Pinter, 4328 Corporate Square, Ste. C, Naples. At the time of resignation, Pinter had several cases pending at the Referee, Grievance Committee, and staff levels of investigation.
Reprimanded
Alexander Osondu Akpodiete, 2202 N. West Shore Blvd., Ste. 200, Tampa. Akpodiete failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and promptly comply with reasonable requests for information and failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client.
Sheldon Golding, 800 S.E. Third Ave., Ste. 300, Ft. Lauderdale. Among several Bar violations, Golding failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client; failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and promptly comply with reasonable requests for information; and failed to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation.
Sheila Virginia Latimer, 111 N.E. First St., Ste. 610, Miami. Latimer was further placed on probation for one year. Among several Bar violations, Latimer failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client; failed to make reasonable efforts to expedite litigation consistent with the interests of the client; and failed to respond, in writing, to an official inquiry by Bar counsel or disciplinary agency when conducting an investigation into her conduct.
Debra Hendry Pierce, 7410 S. U.S. Hwy. 1, Ste. 403, Port St. Lucie. Further, Pierce was directed to attend a trust accounting workshop. Among several Bar violations, Pierce provided financial assistance to a client in connection with pending or contemplated litigation; utilized trust funds for purposes other than those for which they were entrusted; and failed to maintain a cash and receipts disbursement journal identifying the client or matter, the check numbers, and the reason for which all trust funds were received, disbursed, or transferred.
Scott Alan Schieb, 2014 Fourth St., Sarasota. Schieb was further placed on probation for two years. Among several Bar violations, Schieb failed to maintain minimum trust accounting records; failed to comply with minimum trust accounting procedures; and 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.
Cornelius Shiver Jr., P.O. Box 331542, Miami. Shiver violated or attempted to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct and failed to comply with the Rules Regulating Trust Accounts.
Karlene S. Stevens, P.O. Box 4733, W. Palm Beach. Stevens failed to respond, in writing, to an official inquiry by Bar counsel or a disciplinary agency, when conducting an investigation into her conduct.