The Florida Bar Association announced last week that the Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders disbarred two, accepted the resignation of three, suspended four and reprimanded five attorneys. No Jacksonville area attorneys were disciplined by the Florida Bar.
Disbarred
Eduardo Cantera, Miami, disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately following a Sept. 1 court order. Cantera engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation and violated some of the Rules Regulating Trust Accounts.
Linus Gilbert Farr, Stuart, disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective 30 days following a Sept. 1 court order. Among several Bar violations, Farr failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client; entered into an agreement for, charged, or collected an illegal, prohibited, or clearly excessive fee; and failed to disclose material fact to a tribunal.
Resigned
Diana Elizabeth Childers, Zephyrhills, resigned in lieu of disciplinary proceedings, with leave to seek readmission after three years, effective 30 days following a Sept. 1 court order. On July 12, 2004, the Sixth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee “B” found probable cause in five complaints for violations of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar.
Henry I. Smyler, Miami, resigned in lieu of disciplinary proceedings, with leave to seek readmission after five years, effective 30 days following a Sept. 1 court order. At the time of resignation, Smyler had a complaint pending alleging withdrawal of funds held in trust without the client’s written consent.
Suzanne Cannella Warner, Tampa, resigned in lieu of disciplinary proceedings, with leave to seek readmission after three years, effective 30 days following a Sept. 1 court order. At the time of resignation, Warner had a pending Federal criminal case alleging fraud and misrepresentation in the concealment of assets by her and her husband in their personal bankruptcy case is pending in the Middle District of Florida and a related case based on the same allegations is pending at the grievance committee level.
Suspended
Thomas V. Close, Wellington, suspended from practicing law in Florida effective 30 days following a Sept. 28 court order. Close shall remain suspended until he has certified compliance with the Subpoena Duces Tecum issued by the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee “C” on April 8. Close failed and refused to respond to the Bar’s investigative inquiries, failed and refused to produce all trust account and other records subpoenaed by the grievance committee, and failed to appear at the grievance committee hearing.
James W. Evans, Opa Locka, suspended from practicing law in Florida for three years, effective immediately following a Sept. 1 court order. Upon reinstatement, Evans is further placed on probation for two years. Among several Bar violations, Evans 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; committed a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects; and engaged in misconduct and minor misconduct.
Michael Eric Hampden, Plantation, suspended from practicing law in Florida for three years, effective 30 days following a Sept. 1 court order. Hampden failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client; engaged in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice; and failed to respond, in writing, to an official inquiry by Bar counsel or disciplinary agency when conducting an investigation into his conduct.
Stuart Robert Mishkin, Miami, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 90 days, effective immediately following a Sept. 1 court order. Among several Bar violations, Mishkin failed to respond, in writing, to an official inquiry by Bar counsel or disciplinary agency when conducting an investigation into his conduct; 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.
Reprimanded
Brian Jay Giller, Miami Beach, reprimanded for professional misconduct following a Sept. 29 court order. Giller failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and promptly comply with reasonable requests for information and failed to make reasonable efforts to expedite litigation consistent with the interests of the client.
Jeffrey Hap, Jupiter, reprimanded for professional misconduct following a Sept. 8 court order. Hap is further placed on probation for two years. Among several Bar violations, Hap made or permitted to be made a false, misleading, deceptive, or unfair communication about himself or his services and engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
Bruce Allan Lamchick, Miami, reprimanded for professional misconduct following a Sept. 29 court order. Lamchick failed to provide competent representation to a client.
John H. Lipinski, Pembroke Pines, reprimanded for professional misconduct following a Sept. 1 court order. Lipinski is further placed on probation for two years. Among several Bar violations, Lipinski 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, to an official inquiry by Bar counsel or disciplinary agency when conducting an investigation into his conduct.
Mark Brian Milrot, Deerfield Beach, reprimanded for professional misconduct following a Sept. 1 court order. Milrot is further directed to attend The Florida Bar’s Advertising Workshop. Milrot made or permitted to be made a false, misleading, deceptive, or unfair communication about him or his services.