The Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders suspended two attorneys, disbarred two, reprimanded four, accepted the disciplinary resignation of one and extended the ability for an attorney to reapply to The Florida Bar. None were from Northeast Florida.
The following lawyers are disciplined:
• Albert A.A. Cartenuto III, Ft. Lauderdale, reprimanded for professional misconduct,following a June 19 court order. Cartenuto neglected to communicate with the judge and his client in an adequate fashion and failed to respond in writing to a Bar inquiry into allegations of his misconduct.
• John Daneil Ellis Jr., Orlando, reprimanded for professional misconduct, following aJune 12 court order. Ellis allegedly was negligent and did not act with reasonable diligence in representing a client.
• William Jay Millsap, Pensacola, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 91days, effective Aug. 5, to run consecutively with current suspension, following a June 19 court order. While serving a three-year probation, which included abstaining
from the consumption of alcohol, Millsap was arrested on March 10, 2002 for driving under the influence. He was convicted of a misdemeanor after trial.
• Kaylee K. Mire, Ft. Lauderdale, suspended from practicing law for three years, effective retroactive to Feb. 7, following a June 19 court order. Upon her reinstatement, Mire is further placed on probation for one year under the terms and conditions set forth in the report. Among several Bar violations, Mire failed to provide competent representation to a client; failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter; engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation; and failed to comply with The Florida Bar Rules RegulatingTrust Accounts.
• Kevin Alan Morrison, Miami, permanently disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately, following a June 18 court order. Morrison was disbarred April 15, 2002. Morrison violated the Florida Supreme Court's order by continuing to hold himself out as an attorney, dispense legal advice and meet with clients.
• Henrietta Jo Pace, Miami, reprimanded for professional misconduct following a June 12 court order. Pace represented a client that was directly adverse to the interests of another client and entered into a business transaction with a client or knowingly acquired an ownership, possessory, security, or other pecuniary interest adverse to a client.
• Donald Eugene Pervis, Sarasota, resigned in lieu of disciplinary proceedings, without leave to seek readmission, effective 10 days following a May 8 court order. Pervis allegedly violated several Florida Bar Rules of Professional Conduct. For example, he allegedly failed to timely pay medical providers and allegedly failed to diligently pursue the representation or to adequately communicate the status and progress of a case.
• John Anthony Scungio, Providence, R.I., disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately, following a March 27 court order. Scungio was convicted of delivering a bribe to a public official to obtain a significant tax reduction for his clients while acting as an attorney. He was ultimately disbarred by The Rhode Island Supreme Court for committing the crime.
• Steven Serle, Boca Raton, reprimanded for professional misconduct followingan April 3 court order. Serle engaged in inappropriate communication with a person who could be construed to be an employee or agent of a corporate entity represented by Serle and failed to ensure that the conduct of the litigation attorney employed by him adhered to The Florida Bar Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Edward C. Vining Jr., Miami, application extended for readmission to The Florida
Bar by one year, to May 11, 2006, following a May 29 court order. Vining was disbarred from practicing law in Florida on May 11, 2000. While disbarred, Vining violated the Florida Supreme Court's Orders by performing services for which he was compensated, which could be perceived as legal services.