from staff
The Florida Bar, the state’s guardian for the integrity of the legal profession, announced today that the Florida Supreme Court recently issued four court orders permanently prohibiting four persons from engaging in the unlicensed practice of law. None of the four are from Jacksonville. The following non-attorneys are prohibited from engaging in the unlicensed practice of law.
• Marcus Benjamin Harris a/k/a Marzuq Al-Hakim, Tampa, permanently enjoined from engaging in the unlicensed practice of law following a Jan. 12 court order. It was alleged that Harris represented that he was able to provide legal services, drafted legal documents filed in court cases and corresponded with attorneys about legal issues.
• Freynel Jean-Baptiste, Boynton Beach, permanently enjoined from engaging in the unlicensed practice of law and ordered to pay restitution following a May 3 court order approving a settlement agreement between the Bar and Jean-Baptiste. It was alleged that Jean-Baptiste assisted an individual in an immigration matter and improperly advertised that he was able to provide immigration legal services.
• Fitzpatrick M. Estriplet, Northampton, Mass., permanently enjoined from engaging in the unlicensed practice of law and ordered to pay a monetary penalty following a May 2 court order. It was alleged that Estriplet, who is not an attorney, served as general counsel for a Florida corporation.
• Alicia Gil, Miami Beach, permanently enjoined from engaging in the unlicensed practice of law and ordered to pay restitution and a monetary penalty following a May 10 court order. It was alleged that Gil assisted an individual in an immigration matter and represented that she was able to assist customers in legal issues related to immigration.