The Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders suspended 11 attorneys, reprimanded three, disbarred two, and accepted the resignation of one attorney. None were from Northeast Florida. The following lawyers are disciplined:
• Burton Louis Bruggeman III, Winter Park, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 90 days, effective Oct. 1, following an Aug. 19 court order. Upon reinstatement, Bruggeman is further placed on probation for one year. Among several Bar violations, Bruggeman failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and promptly comply with reasonable requests for information; failed to respond, in writing, to an official inquiry by Bar counsel or a disciplinary agency, when conducting an investigation into his conduct; and neglected to follow minimum trust account records for a minimum period of six years.
• Randall J. Cohen, Naples, reprimanded for professional misconduct following an Aug. 26 court order. Cohen is further placed on probation, effective immediately, and must contact Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc. within 30 days of the order and attend a continuing legal education approved seminar on the subject of gender bias/gender sensitivity within 90 days of the order. Among several Bar violations, Cohen engaged in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice and filed non-meritorious claims and contentions.
• Raul Javier Sanchez De Varona, Coral Gables, resigned in lieu of disciplinary proceedings, with leave to seek readmission after 10 years, effective 30 days following an Aug. 17 court order. De Varona was convicted April 6 for conspiracy to commit Medicare fraud and was sentenced to 15 months incarceration.
• Jason Alexander Diamond, Hollywood, reprimanded for professional misconduct following an Aug. 26 court order. Diamond is further placed on probation for two years and must attend and complete The Florida Bar’s Advertising Workshop held in his geographical area. Diamond failed to comply with Florida Bar advertising rules.
• Joseph A. Ferrara, Coral Gables, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 30 days, effective 30 days following a July 1 court order. Among several Bar violations, Ferrara failed to comply with responsibilities regarding nonlawyer assistants; assisted a person who is not a member of the Bar in the performance of activity that constitutes the unlicensed practice of law; and violated or attempt to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct, knowingly assisted or induced another to do so, or did so through the acts of another.
• Richard Louis Glachman, Highland Beach, suspended on an emergency basis, effective 30 days following a July 2 court order. A review of Glachman’s trust account revealed that there is clear and convincing evidence that he misappropriated client funds.
• Julio Gutierrez, Miami, suspended from practicing law in Florida for three years, effective 30 days following an Aug. 26 court order. Gutierrez is further placed on probation for three years and must attend the next scheduled session of Ethics School held in his geographical area. Among several Bar violations, Gutierrez committed a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects; engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; and violated or attempted to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct.
• William S. Hunter, Boynton Beach, suspended from practicing law in Florida, effective 30 days following an Aug. 20 court order. On or about July 1, Hunter plead guilty to one count of grand theft over $20,000, a second degree felony, and was sentenced to 15 years probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $77, 289.
• Paul Anthony Levine, Miami, suspended from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately following an Aug. 10 court order. On or about June 30, Levine plead guilty to one count of aggravated stalking, a third degree felony.
• Jorge Enrique Luna Jr., Orlando, suspended from practicing law in Florida for one year, effective immediately following an Aug. 19 court order. Upon reinstatement, Luna is further placed on probation for three years. Among several Bar violations, Luna violated Rules Regulating Trust Accounts and failed to respond, in writing, to an official inquiry by Bar counsel or a disciplinary agency, when conducting an investigation into his conduct.
• Robert R. Morris, Royal Palm Beach, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 30 days, effective 30 days following an Aug. 26 court order. Upon automatic reinstatement, Morris shall be placed on probation for six months and must attend the next scheduled session of Ethics School held in his geographical area. Among several Bar violations, Morris 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.
• Wayne Thomas Phillips, Clearwater, disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately following Aug. 19 court orders. Among several Bar violations, Phillips violated Rules Regulating Trust Accounts; engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; and committed a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects.
• Michael Richard Pinter, Naples, suspended on an emergency basis from practicing law in Florida, effective 30 days following an Aug. 19 court order. A review of Pinter’s trust account revealed that there is clear and convincing evidence that he misappropriated client funds.
• James Sweeting III, Orlando, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 30 days, effective 30 days following an Aug. 19 court order and reprimanded for professional misconduct. Sweeting is further placed on probation for two years. Among several Bar violations, Sweeting failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and promptly comply with reasonable requests for information; violated or attempt to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct, knowingly assisted or induced another to do so, or did so through the acts of another; and knowingly disobeyed an obligation under the rules of a tribunal.
• Elizabeth Ann Wolfe, Palm Beach, disbarred from practicing law in Florida, with leave to apply after five years, effective immediately following an Aug. 19 court order. Wolfe allegedly misappropriated client funds.
• Lorn Francis Woodward, West Palm Beach, suspended from practicing law in Florida for one year, effective 30 days following an Aug. 26 court order. Woodward’s reinstatement is conditional on his passing the ethics portion of The Florida Bar exam. Among several Bar violations, Woodward knowingly made a false statement of material fact or law to a tribunal; committed a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects; and engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.