The Florida Bar announced that the Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders suspended seven, disbarred one, and reprimanded one attorney.
One attorney from Jacksonville is on the list.
Court orders are not final until time expires to file a rehearing motion and, if filed, determined. The filing of such a motion does not alter the effective date of the discipline.
The disciplinary actions:
Suspended
Gregory Patrick Armotrading, 505 N. Liberty St., Jacksonville, suspended from practicing law in Florida, effective 30 days following a March 2 court order. Armotrading shall remain suspended until he has certified compliance with the audit request made by the Fourth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee “B.” Armotrading failed to show cause for noncompliance with a valid request by the Fourth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee “B” to provide his trust account records to a Bar Auditor for a trust account audit.
Nira Kay Nevins, 607 Knollwood Drive, Middletown, N.J., suspended from practicing law in Florida, effective 30 days following a March 8 court order. On Nov. 16, 2004, Nevins was convicted of armed robbery, a first degree felony; terroristic threats, a third degree felony; and kidnapping, a first degree felony and was sentenced to incarceration of 13 years.
J. Gordon Blau, 815 Orienta Ave., Ste. 3, Altamonte Springs, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 45 days, effective May 28, following a March 10 court order. Upon automatic reinstatement, Blau shall be on probation for two years and must contact Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc. within 30 days. Among several Bar violations, Blau engaged in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice; failed to apply money entrusted to him for a specific purpose; and failed to follow minimum trust accounting procedures.
Marshall Lawrence Cohen, P.O. Box 60292, Ft. Myers, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 30 days, effective 30 days following a March 17 court order. Among several Bar violations, Cohen 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.
Barry Leonard Halpern, 1151 Wilshire Circle W., Pembroke Pines, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 90 days, effective 30 days following a March 17 court order. Among several Bar violations, Halpern engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; engaged in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice; and violated Rules Regulating Trust Accounts.
Scott Jerry Liotta, 1000 Nottingham St., Orlando, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 10 days, effective 30 days following a March 24 court order. Upon automatic reinstatement, Liotta is further placed on probation for three years. Liotta failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client and failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and promptly comply with reasonable requests for information.
Mack Arrin Plant, 1512 Glen Road, Brewton, Al, suspended from practicing law in Florida for one year, effective immediately following a March 24 court order. Plant engaged in criminal misconduct and committed a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer.
Reprimanded
Nina Louise Bauman, 6640 34th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, reprimanded for professional misconduct following a March 17 court order. Bauman is further directed to attend the next scheduled session of The Florida Bar’s Ethics School held in her geographical area. Bauman represented a client when the representation of that client was directly adverse to the interests of another client.
Disbarred
Chris Stephen Egan, 20761 Chestnut St., Dunnellon, disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective 30 days following a March 24 court order. Egan failed to hold money or other property in trust; failed to maintain a separate cash receipts and disbursements journal; and failed to maintain all bank or savings and loan association statements for all trust accounts.
Edgar Amaya, individually, and Tamiami Agency International Document Center, Inc., formerly Tamiami Immigration Agency, Inc., Miami, permanently enjoined from engaging in the unlicensed practice of law following a January 11 court order; it was alleged that respondent provided legal advice and services in immigration matters.
pared documents for a dissolution of marriage and rendered legal advice.
Christopher J. Kahlmeyer, individually and d/b/a American Asset Recovery, Tampa, permanently enjoined from engaging in the unlicensed practice of law following a January 13 court order; it was alleged that respondent provided legal assistance in judgment recovery matters.
Eldred Redmon, N. Miami Beach, permanently enjoined from engaging in the unlicensed practice of law following a February 24 court order based on a stipulated injunction; it was alleged that respondent held himself out as an attorney, appeared in court on behalf of a company, and agreed to represent a prisoner in a criminal appeal.
Nestor Romero, Miami, permanently enjoined from engaging in the unlicensed practice of law following a February 10 court order based on a stipulated injunction; it was alleged that respondent held himself out as an attorney and handled immigration matters.
Daniela J. Valeri, Asdrubal Ramos, and Ramos Balza & Associates, Inc., Coral Gables, permanently enjoined from engaging in the unlicensed practice of law following a February 10 court order based on a stipulated injunction; it was alleged that respondents rendered advice and assisted others with immigration matters.
Augusto F. Santiago, individually and Immigration Specialist Group, Inc., Miami, permanently enjoined from engaging in the unlicensed practice of law following an April 14 court order based on a stipulated injunction; it was alleged that respondent provided legal advice and services in immigration matters.
Lev Kobrin, individually and d/b/a Immigrants Assistance Center, Sunny Isles Beach, permanently enjoined from engaging in the unlicensed practice of law following a May 12 court order based on a stipulated injunction; it was alleged that respondent provided legal advice and services in immigration matters.