The Florida Bar, the state’s guardian for the integrity of the legal profession, announced today that the Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders suspended 18, disbarred five, accepted the resignation of three and reprimanded one attorney. None of the attorneys are from the Jacksonville area.
As an official agency of the Supreme Court of Florida, The Florida Bar and its Department of Lawyer Regulation are charged with the administration of a statewide disciplinary system to enforce Supreme Court rules of professional conduct of the 78,000-plus lawyers admitted to practice law in Florida.
The following lawyers are disciplined (Please note that 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):
Jeffrey Thomas Kipi, 605 Crescent Executive Ct., Ste. 122, Lake Mary, suspended from practicing law in Florida on an emergency basis, effective 30 days following a Sept. 29, 2005 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1986) There is clear and convincing evidence that Kipi appeared to be causing great public harm by allegedly misappropriating client’s funds.
Carlos E. Morales, 5399 NW 36th Ave., Miami, suspended from practicing law in Florida on an emergency basis, effective 30 days following a Jan. 26 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1994) There is clear and convincing evidence that Morales appears to be causing great public harm by allegedly neglecting his clients.
Robelto Antonio Osborne, 1999 SW 27th Ave., Fl. 1, Miami, suspended from practicing law in Florida, effective 30 days from Dec. 23, 2005, following a Dec. 29, 2005 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1999) On or about June 10, 2005, Osborne pled guilty to four counts of unlicensed practice of a health care profession and was sentenced to two years community control followed by three years probation.
Maria Lara Peet, 2107 Cleveland Ave., Ft. Myers, disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective 30 days following a Dec. 15, 2005 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1986) Peet violated the terms of her probation in SC02-182 and failed to comply with the Rules Regulating Trust Accounts.
Michael Tyrone Rayne, 327 Office Plaza, Ste. 106, Tallahassee, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 20 days, effective 30 days following a Jan. 26 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2002) Rayne solicited professional employment from a prospective client with whom he had no family or prior professional relationship, when a significant motive for his doing so was his pecuniary gain.
William Christian Rocker, 2906 W. Bay to Bay Blvd., Tampa, disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective 30 days following a Dec. 21 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1988) Rocker engaged in misconduct and minor misconduct and committed a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects.
Mitchell Lee Singer, 125 Main St., Netcong, N.J., suspended from practicing law in Florida, effective 30 days from Dec. 2, 2005, following a Dec. 5, 2005 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1978) On Aug. 7, 2003, Singer pled guilty to two charges of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and was disbarred by the Supreme Court of the State of New York.
Paul Dunlop Srygley, 1266 Cedar Center Dr., Tallahassee, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 60 days, effective 30 days following a Jan. 26 court order. Upon reinstatement, Srygley is further placed on probation for two years. (Admitted to practice: 1980) Srygley failed to pay membership fees; 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 continued to practice law while retired, resigned, inactive, or delinquent.
Charles David Svoboda, 1340 Gulf Blvd., Apt. 7A, Clearwater Beach, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 10 days, effective 30 days following a Sept. 8, 2005 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1985) Among several Bar violations, Svoboda failed to provide a client with competent representation; failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client; and failed to respond, in writing, to an official inquiry by Bar counsel or a disciplinary agency, when conducting an investigation into his conduct.
Mark David Swanson, 169 E. Flagler St., Ste. 1433, Miami, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 15 days, effective 30 days following a Jan. 26 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1984) Among several Bar violations, Swanson engaged in misconduct and minor misconduct; 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.
Sharon P. Talbot, 258 Seminole Ave., Apt. 1, Palm Beach, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 91 days, effective 30 days following a Sept. 8, 2005 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1987) Talbot entered into a business transaction with a client or knowingly acquired an ownership, possessory, security, or other pecuniary interest adverse to a client; made a false statement of material fact or law to a tribunal; and engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
William James Thompson, 9696 Bonita Beach Road, Ste. 201, Bonita Springs, reprimanded for professional misconduct following a Dec. 1, 2005 court order. Thompson is further placed on probation for two years. (Admitted to practice: 1998) Thompson violated the Rules Regulating Trust Accounts.
Michael James Valen, 601 N. Baylen St., Pensacola, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 90 days, effective immediately following a Sept. 8, 2005 court order. Upon reinstatement, Valen shall be placed on probation for three years. (Admitted to practice: 1994) On July 20, 2004, Valen pled no contest to two felony offenses: Conspiracy to Commit a Felony and Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell/Manufacture. On Aug. 24, 2004, Valen was placed on probation for two years after completing one year of community control and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and to successfully complete a Florida Bar Substance Abuse program.
Larry Kay White, 1501 E. Park Ave., Tallahassee, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 60 days, effective 30 days following a Dec. 1, 2005 court order. Upon reinstatement, White is further placed on probation for two years. (Admitted to practice: 1975) Among several Bar violations, White failed to provide competent representation to a client; 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.
Madonna H. Whittaker, P.O. Box 160492, Altamonte Springs, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 91 days, effective 30 days following a Sept. 8, 2005 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1993) Among several Bar violations, Whittaker failed to respond, in writing, to an official inquiry by Bar counsel or a disciplinary agency, when conducting an investigation into her conduct; engaged in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice; and knowingly disobeyed an obligation under the rules of the tribunal.