The Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders reprimanded six attorneys, suspended five, including one from Jacksonville Beach, and accepted the resignation of one attorney.
Craig J. Martin of Jacksonville Beach was suspended by emergency from practicing law in Florida until further court order, effective 30 days following a Feb. 20 court order.
Among several Bar violations, Martin failed to provide competent representation to a client; failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client; neglected to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and promptly comply with reasonable requests for information; and failed to respond, in writing, to an official inquiry by Bar counsel or a disciplinary agency, when conducting an investigation into his conduct.
The other lawyers disciplined are:
• James E. Brown Jr., Pompano Beach, suspended by emergency from practicing law in Florida until further court order. A review of Brown’s trust account revealed that there is clear, convincing and undeniable evidence that he misappropriated client and third party funds.
• Richard G. Chosid, Ft. Lauderdale, reprimanded for professional misconduct. Chosid failed to provide competent representation to a client; failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client; neglected to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and promptly comply with reasonable requests for information; and failed to respond, in writing, to an official inquiry by Bar counsel or a disciplinary agency, when conducting an investigation into his conduct.
• Rhett Pendleton Dove III, Miami, suspended by emergency from practicing law in Florida until further court order. A review of Dove’s trust account revealed that there is clear, convincing and undeniable evidence that he misappropriated clients’ funds.
• Michael John Echevarria, Tampa, reprimanded for professional misconduct. Echevarria failed to make reasonable efforts to ensure that another lawyer conformed to the Rules of Professional Conduct when he was involved in an authorized business entity, enterprise, or government agency having supervisory authority over another lawyer.
• Miles Edward Ferris, Sarasota, suspended from practicing law in Florida. Ferris engaged in misconduct and minor misconduct and committed a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects.
• Bruce D. Friedlander, Miami, reprimanded for professional misconduct. Friedlander filed non-meritorious claims and contentions.
• David William Langley, Plantation, reprimanded for professional misconduct. Additionally, Langley must attend Ethics School. Langley failed to timely respond, in writing, to an official inquiry by Bar counsel or a disciplinary agency, when conducting an investigation into his conduct.
• Avi Jacob Litwin, Miami Beach, reprimanded for professional misconduct following a Feb. 19 court order. Litwin failed to provide competent representation to a client and filed non-meritorious claims and contentions.
• Steven Richard Pietro, Pembroke Pines, resigned in lieu of disciplinary proceedings, with leave to seek readmission after 10 years. In Nov. 2003, Pietro was charged with a compounding felony, in which he was sentenced to five years probation, 200 hours of community service, and a 10-year resignation from The Florida Bar.
• Marquin Steven Rinard, Pompano Beach, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 91 days. Upon reinstatement, Rinard will be placed on probation for two years. Rinard failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter; neglected to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation; and failed to respond, in writing, to an official inquiry by Bar counsel or a disciplinary agency, when conducting an investigation into his conduct.
• Richard Henry Simonson, Oakland Park, reprimanded for professional misconduct. Simonson mailed an advertisement that contained a reference to past successes or results obtained or was otherwise likely to create an unjustified expectation about results the lawyer can achieve.