News Summary
The Florida Supreme Court has disciplined 14 attorneys, including disbarments and suspensions, raising concerns about professional conduct in the legal field. Two Jacksonville attorneys were among those sanctioned—Taylor Wayne Casey received a temporary felony suspension, while Kenneth Clark Steel III faced a public reprimand. The court’s actions emphasize the need for ethical behavior among legal professionals. Notable cases included those with severe penalties for misconduct, underscoring the importance of integrity within the legal community.
Jacksonville, Florida – The Florida Supreme Court has recently announced disciplinary actions against 14 attorneys, including disbarments, suspensions, and public reprimands, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding professional conduct within the legal field.
Among those disciplined, two attorneys faced disbarment, three had their licenses revoked, and seven received suspensions. Additionally, two attorneys were publicly reprimanded for their actions. This latest announcement was published on June 1, demonstrating the court’s commitment to maintaining integrity within the state’s legal framework.
Locally, two attorneys from Jacksonville were part of the disciplinary actions. Taylor Wayne Casey, whose office is located at 630 W. Adams St., Suite 204, was subjected to a temporary felony suspension following a court order on May 7. He was arrested at a local establishment after an incident that involved resisting law enforcement and public intoxication. As a result of his convictions, he has been sentenced to 18 months of probation, according to records held by The Florida Bar.
Kenneth Clark Steel III, practicing at 1837 Hendricks Ave., received a public reprimand on May 8. His reprimand stems from missing the two-year statute of limitations in Georgia for a client’s civil tort case, preventing the client from seeking compensation for personal injuries incurred.
Overview of Disciplinary Actions
The disciplinary actions taken against attorneys are significant yet typically subject to revision. Court orders are not final until a specified period has passed, during which an attorney may file for a rehearing. The implications of disbarment are serious, as attorneys must wait five years before they can reapply for admission and must undergo an extensive background check and retake the Bar exam. Those facing suspensions of 91 days or longer must demonstrate successful rehabilitation in order to regain their law licenses.
Key Cases of Disciplinary Actions
Among the other notable cases included:
- Jerry D. Haynes received a 30-month suspension for failing to adequately represent clients and for poor communication.
- Alexis Trischa-Day Benjamin was suspended for six months for neglect in a landlord-tenant matter and failing to inform the court of her own suspension.
- Danielle Justine Butler faced a 30-day suspension after sending misleading invoices to clients and pleading no contest to obstruction of justice.
- Pamela Therese Calderon received a disciplinary revocation without leave to reapply after misappropriating client funds.
- Barry Robert Gainsburg was similarly revoked following felony charges associated with threatening behavior.
- Bruce Jacobs suffered permanent disbarment due to tactics used in foreclosure litigation deemed as bad faith.
- Natalie Renee Jones was disbarred for misusing trust account funds and making false statements to The Florida Bar.
- Walker J. Smith IV and David H. Stoller each received public reprimands for various professional misconducts.
- James Lawrence Torres faced a disciplinary revocation but retains the option to apply for readmission after five years related to violations of trust account rules.
The Role of The Florida Bar
Established in 1949, The Florida Bar plays a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of the legal profession and upholding the standards of practice in Florida. Functioning as an official arm of the Florida Supreme Court, The Florida Bar aims to serve both the legal community and the public by enforcing compliance with regulations related to attorney conduct.
The recent disciplinary actions serve as a reminder of the importance of ethical behavior in the legal profession, reinforcing that missteps can lead to serious professional consequences. It is essential for attorneys to adhere to high standards of integrity and professionalism to maintain the public’s trust in the legal system.
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Additional Resources
- Jacksonville Daily Record
- Palm Beach Post
- Florida Politics
- Wikipedia: Florida Bar
- Google Search: Florida Supreme Court disciplinary actions
