The Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders suspended six attorneys, disbarred two and reprimanded one. None were from Northeast Florida. The following lawyers were disciplined:
• William Wirt Chastain, Tampa, suspended from practicing law in Florida until further court order, effective immediately following a July 1 court order. Among several Bar violations, Chastain withdrew fees and costs from settlement proceeds without first obtaining client signatures on closing statements; improperly accessed client trust funds by reimbursing “costs” not incurred; engaged in the practice of law while allegedly impaired by alcohol and other substances; and violated terms of probation after being found guilty of reckless driving by drinking alcohol and driving with a suspended license.
• Patsy Dianne Granger, Tampa, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 91 days, effective 30 days following a July 10 court order. Granger failed to respond in writing to official Bar inquiries into her conduct.
• Peter Ellis Kelly, Sanibel, suspended from practicing law in Florida for six months, effective immediately following a July 10 court order. Kelly failed to provide competent representation; charged excessive fees; and failed to provide adequate communication to a client.
• Javier Enrique Lopera, New York, suspended from practicing law in Florida for three years, until his civil rights have been restored, effective retroactive to July 8, following a July 23 court order. Lopera was convicted of 19 counts of an indictment charging him of making false statements to the Immigration and Naturalization Services, obtaining and using false visas and concealing illegal aliens.
• Russell Francis McLatchey, Longwood, suspended from practicing law for 90 days, effective Aug. 15 following a July 3 court order. McLatchey knowingly engaged in conduct that was a violation of a duty owed as a professional and caused injury or potential injury to a client, the public, and the legal system.
• Donald Miller, Tampa, disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately, following a July 18 court order. Miller practiced law in Florida while he was suspended.
• Gregory Thomas Paulk II, Merritt Island, reprimanded for professional misconduct following a July 3 court order. Among several Bar violations, Paulk 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 failed to respond, in writing, to any official inquiry by Bar counsel or a disciplinary agency when conducting an investigation. Furthermore, Paulk must contact Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc. for an evaluation within 30 days.
• L. Byron Reid, Panama City, suspended from practicing law in Florida until further court order, effective immediately following a July 2 court order. An audit of Reid’s trust accounts revealed that he misused and misappropriated funds in numerous instances.
• Deborah Rubin, Tampa, disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective 30 days following a July 10 court order. Among several Bar violations, a review of Rubin’s trust account records revealed that she co-mingled her funds with those of her clients and failed to notify The Florida Bar that she was closing her practice and entering a chemical dependency treatment facility.