The Florida Bar recently released its latest discipline list and Antonio Eduardo Gonzalez of Orange Park is one of nine attorneys statewide that have been disbarred. Gonzalez was found to have 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 committed a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects.
The following is a list of the other lawyers that were 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):
David Edwin Ackley, 839 Kenilworth Ter., Orlando, reprimanded for professional misconduct following a Jan. 5 court order. Ackley 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 or cost; and engaged in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.
Samuel I. Burstyn, 801 Brickell Ave., Ph. 1, Miami, resigned in lieu of disciplinary proceedings, without leave to seek readmission, effective 30 days following a Feb. 14 court order. On Sept. 19, 2005, Burstyn pleaded guilty to count three of a Second Superseding Indictment charging conspiracy to obstruct justice.
Robert John Capko, 145 E. Wilbur Ave., Lake Mary, suspended from practicing law in Florida on an emergency basis, effective 30 days following a Jan. 4 court order. There is clear and convincing evidence that Capko appears to be causing great public harm by misappropriating funds held in trust.
Lee Arman Cohn, 600 S. Andrews Ave., Ste. 405, Ft. Lauderdale, disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately following a Jan. 9 court order. Cohn failed to respond to The Supreme Court of Florida’s order on Sept. 30, 2005, commanding Cohn to show cause on or before Oct. 17, 2005.
Teresita B. Davila, 780 Hunting Lodge Dr., Miami Springs, suspended from practicing law in Florida, effective 30 days following a Jan. 20 court order. On July 16, 2004, Davila pleaded guilty and was adjudicated guilty of structuring transactions with one or more domestic financial institutions.
Andrew Harry Drucker, 1570 Madruga Ave., Ste. 216, Coral Gables, reprimanded for professional misconduct following a Feb. 2 court order.
Drucker is further placed on probation for one year. Among several Bar violations, Drucker violated or attempted to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct; engaged in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice; and engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
James R. Filenbaum, 18250 NW 2nd Ave., Miami, disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective retroactive to July 7, 2005, following a Jan. 19 court order. Filenbaum entered into an agreement for, charged, or collected an illegal, prohibited, or clearly excessive fee or cost and violated the Rules Regulating Trust Accounts.
Stanley Eric Halbert, 300 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 209, Casselberry, disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately following a Jan. 19 court order. Among several Bar violations, Halbert 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.
Michael Eric Hampden, P.O. Box 16657, Plantation, disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately following a Feb. 6 court order. Hampden continued to practice law after his Sept. 1, 2005 suspension order.
Cathy Lynn Harrison, 112 N. East St., Ste. A, Tampa, suspended from practicing law in Florida on an emergency basis, effective 30 days following a Feb. 16 court order. There is evidence that Harrison has caused, or is likely to cause, immediate serious harm to her clients and/or the public.
William S. Hunter, P.O. Box 8591, Delray Beach, disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately following a Jan. 19 court order. On or about July 1, 2004, Hunter pleaded guilty to one count of Grand Theft over $20,000 and was sentenced to 15 years probation and ordered to pay restitution.
Steve D. Kackley, 357 S. Orange St., Sebring, reprimanded for professional misconduct following a Jan. 18 court order. Kackley is further placed on probation for two years. Kackley engaged in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice and communicated as to the merits of the cause with a judge or an official before whom the adversary proceeding was pending.
Michelle Ann Konig, P.O. Box 541596, Greenacres, disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately following a Jan. 19 court order. Among several Bar violations, Konig 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.
Erik Vonn Korzilius, 2100 Tamiami Tr. S., Ste. C, Venice, suspended from practicing law in Florida for 10 days, effective 30 days following a Jan.26 court order. Korzilius violated the 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.
Jack P. Lamarr, 2601 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, reprimanded for professional misconduct following a Jan. 5 court order. Among several Bar violations, Lamarr 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 violated the Rules Regulating Trust Accounts.
Brenda Denease McCaslin, P.O. Box 190435, Ft. Lauderdale, disbarred from practicing law in Florida, effective immediately following a Jan. 19 court order. McCaslin violated the Rules Regulating Trust Accounts.