Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
“Hail to the Chief” would have been a proper theme for Thursday’s Jacksonville Bar Association (JBA) monthly luncheon as the head table was filled with past, current and future presidents of local and statewide legal organizations, including keynote speaker Florida Bar President Jesse Diner.
As of Friday, the Florida Bar’s Web site listed Scott Walter Rothstein of the Ft. Lauderdale law firm of Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler as eligible to practice law in Florida, but that same day his disbarment on consent had been filed with the Florida Supreme Court.
“To many know Scott’s name for the wrong reasons,” said Diner. “I will share with you how your bar has been responsive to deal with what is not only a public relations nightmare, but what appears to be a pariah in our Bar.”
Diner received an e-mail Nov. 1 telling him that Rothstein had fled to Morocco and there was money missing from the firm. The next morning Diner, who was traveling on business, organized the Bar’s investigation of the matter.
“Mr. Rothstein signed the voluntary resignation agreeing to permanent disbarment on Nov. 15,” said Diner. “Mr. Rothstein will never darken the door of the Bar again. So, 16 days to get somebody who is really a problem out of the system, I think, is pretty quick.”
“It was very difficult for that period of time,” said Diner. “People were asking ‘What is the Bar doing?’ We couldn’t talk about it because we were working on it.”
The investigation will not end with Rothstein’s disbarment, Diner added.
“The Bar will fully and adequately investigate everybody that is responsible in that law firm,” said Diner. “Then there is the question of why are there a number of people walking around with business cards that say ‘shareholder’ and ‘partner.’ All of it needs to be investigated and we are going to have to see where the responsibility lies.”
Both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service are seeking information from individuals who have invested in the Rothstein Structured Settlement Investment.
Prior to Diner, JBA President Dan Bean updated the membership on the activities of the local bar before giving way to Diner.
“The Honorable Peter J. Fryefield Law Revue was a very successful event with twice the amount of attendees and twice the amount of revenue raised compared to last year’s event,” said Bean.
The event grossed about $27,400, which is 65 percent more than what was raised last year.
Success was also a term used to describe The JBA’s “Ask-A-Lawyer” program which was able to advise over 25 people in City Council Dist. 7 recently. The next program is Dec. 5 in Dist. 10, which is represented by Reggie Brown, and organizers are still searching for a volunteer with experience in landlord/tenant law.
December also occupies a large section of the holiday calendar and The JBA is looking for volunteers to help with its “2009 Holiday Project.” Participants receive a wish list from local senior citizens involved with the “Meals on Wheels” program. Volunteers can either deliver the gifts or drop the gifts off at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to have them delivered. Volunteers who plan to have the gifts delivered need to drop them off at The JBA office by Dec. 17. Michael McCoy of Marks Gray is the chair of the holiday project and can be reached at 398-0900.
After the update on the local news, Diner stepped to the podium to talk about current events and goals for the Florida Bar.
New JBA members
The following lawyers were welcomed as members of The Jacksonville Bar Association:
Shylie Armon, Lester Bass, Connie Byrd, Jessica Dunn, Kailey Evans, Jonathan Ferro Emily Friend, Tyler Gates, Kim Gossett, Samantha Giudici, Al Hagans and Katy Harris.
Jennifer Love, Matthew Lufrano, Alexandra Maddox, Jeffrey McFarland, Amry McAllister, Brad Meadows, Catherine Michaud, Genay Mills, Claudia Murray, Steve Paveglio, Erin Peacock and Gina Peretti.
Paula Post, T.J. Roache, Adair Rommel, Staphanie Ross, Zenia Slam, Catheryn Sandler, Francis Shoemaker, Peter Shutters, Lanesha Sims, Elizabeth Wallace and Greg West.
356-2466