The Florida Supreme Court, in recent court orders, suspended seven, reprimanded four, disbarred three, and accepted the resignation of one attorney.
None were from North Florida.
The following lawyers have been disciplined:
Disbarred
Jerald Alan Goldstein, 2255 Glades Road, Ste. 337W, Boca Raton, disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately following a Jan. 13 court order. Among several Bar violations, Goldstein engaged in misconduct and minor misconduct; entered into an agreement for, charged, or collected an illegal, prohibited, or clearly excessive fee or cost; and violated the Rules Regulating Trust Accounts.
Gregory Newell Hamilton, 12009 Forrest Home Drive, Ft. Mill, S.C., disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective 30 days following a Dec. 23, 2004 court order Among several Bar violations, Hamilton committed a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects; engaged in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice; and failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and promptly comply with reasonable requests for information.
Jorge Enrique Luna Jr., P.O. Box 3663, Orlando, disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately following a Jan. 4 court order. Luna engaged in the practice of law while he was suspended by impersonating his former law partner. Luna also failed to respond to an Order to Show Cause dated Oct. 18, 2004.
Resigned
Sandra A. Thompson, 2402 Palm Ridge Rd., #174, Sanibel, resigned in lieu of disciplinary proceedings, with leave to seek readmission after five years, effective immediately following a Dec. 23, 2004 court order at the time of resignation, Thompson had a case pending at the investigative level concerning allegations that she misappropriated client funds.
Suspended
Jefferson Wortham Clark Jr., 460 Bouchelle Drive, Apt. 302, New Smyrna Beach, suspended from practicing law in Florida for one year, effective Jan. 28, following a Jan. 13 court order. Among several Bar violations, Clark failed to make reasonable efforts to ensure that a nonlawyer over whom he had direct supervisory authority engaged in conduct that was not compatible with his professional obligations; 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; and failed to maintain minimal trust accounting records and procedures.
Michael John Colitz, 640 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, suspended from practicing law in Florida for three years, effective retroactive to June 6, 2003, without leave to petition for reinstatement until June 6, 2006, or the date of reinstatement to the practice of law by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, whichever is later. Among several Bar violations, Colitz failed to provide competent representation to a client; failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client; and formed a partnership with a nonlawyer when activities of the partnership consisted of the practice of law.
Brian Jay Giller, 975 Arthur Godfrey Road, Ste. 601, Miami Beach, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 21 months, effective 30 days following an Oct. 21, 2004 court order. Among several Bar violations, Giller 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 willfully refused, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, to timely pay a child support
obligation.
Christopher Anthony Roche, 229 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 10 days, effective Feb. 4, following a Jan. 13 court order. Roche failed to respond, in writing, to an official inquiry by Bar counsel or a disciplinary agency, when conducting an investigation into his
conduct.
Terry E. Rosenberg, 79 N. Hibiscus Drive, Miami Beach, suspended from practicing law in Florida on an emergency basis until further court order, effective 30 days following a Jan. 7 court order. A review of Rosenberg’s trust account revealed that there is clear and convincing evidence that he misappropriated client funds.
David Russell Stahl, 1100 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, suspended from practicing law in Florida for three years, effective 30 days following a Jan. 12 court order. On or about June 18, 2004, Stahl was found guilty of the second degree felony of Lewd or Lascivious Act (on child) and was sentenced to six years in prison followed by nine years probation.
Patricia Eloise Thorne, 75 N.W. First Ave., Ste. 102, Delray Beach, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 90 days, effective 30 days following a Jan. 20 court order. Thorne is further placed on probation for three years. Among several Bar violations,
Thorne engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; while representing a client, she knowingly made a false statement of material fact or law to a third person; and engaged in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.
Reprimanded
Michael Henry Bloom, 3225 Aviation Ave., Ste. 300, Miami, reprimanded for professional misconduct following an Oct. 21, 2004 court order. Bloom continued to practice law while delinquent in fulfilling his Continuing Legal Education credit hour requirements.
Lynnette James Callender, 138 Palm Coast Pkwy., N.W., #203, Palm Coast, reprimanded for professional misconduct following a Jan. 13 court order. Callender is further placed on probation for three years. Among several Bar violations, Callender 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 respond, in writing, within 15 days to an official inquiry by Bar counsel, when
conducting an investigation in her
conduct.
Kennan George Dandar, P.O. Box 24597, Tampa, reprimanded for professional misconduct following an Oct. 21, 2004 court order. Dandar failed to comply with the Rules Regulating Trust Accounts.
Samuel Andrew Mutch, 2114 N.W. 40th Terr., Ste. A1, Gainesville, reprimanded for professional misconduct following a Dec. 2, 2004 court order.