Stephens & Stephens Marital & Family Law

Brian Jay Glick, 54 SW 2nd Ave., Boca Raton, permanently disbarred effective November 29. (Admitted to practice: 1981) Glick attempted to disburse funds from his attorney trust account, violating his emergency suspension order and subsequent disciplinary revocation. (Case No: SC22-1197)

Raegan S. Yunger, 125 S. Swoope Ave., Suite 210, Maitland, permanent disbarment, effective immediately following a July 13 court order due to Yunger’s existing suspension from the practice of law. (Admitted to practice: 2005) On March 10, 2021, Yunger was arrested and indicted by a grand jury with murder in the first degree and possession of methamphetamine. On January 19, 2023, Yunger pled guilty to one count of manslaughter, a second-degree felony, and one count of possession of methamphetamine, a third-degree felony. The trial court adjudicated Yunger guilty and sentenced her to 10 years in the Florida Department of Corrections. On January 26, 2023, the Supreme Court of Florida entered its order suspending Yunger pursuant to Florida Bar Rule 3-7.2(f). (Case No. SC23-116)

Brett Elam, 105 S. Narcissus Ave, Ste 802, West Palm Beach, permanent disbarment effective following an April 18 court order. (Motion to vacate was denied June 21, 2023) (Admitted to practice: 2002) Elam was disbarred for misappropriation, misrepresentation, and violating a court order by a Supreme Court order dated March 28, 2019. Despite his disbarment, Elam continued to engage in the active practice of law. Elam was permanently disbarred for contempt of the Supreme Court of Florida. (Case No. SC23-328)

Teresa Marie Gaffney, P.O. Box 18112, Tampa, permanent disbarment, effective 30 days following an August 3 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1984) Gaffney was permanently disbarred from the practice of law for her pattern of engaging in improper delay tactics over the course of litigation, reckless, impugning and disparaging commentary about the judiciary and engaging in conduct contrary to honesty and justice that was prejudicial to the administration of justice. Gaffney’s misconduct continued throughout her disciplinary proceedings. (Case No. SC21-0938)

Donald Nathan Jacobson, 224 Datura St., Suite 211, West Palm Beach, disciplinary revocation without leave to seek readmission effective December 15. (Admitted: 1990) On November 2, 2022, Jacobson pled guilty to aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He was sentenced to seven years of probation and other conditions. The events arose from his firing of a weapon at his fleeing girlfriend. (Case No: SC22-1344)

William Kalish, 5813 Bayshore Blvd, Tampa, disciplinary revocation without leave to reapply and restitution by court orders dated July 7, 2022, and March 30, 2023. (Admitted to practice: 1976) By order dated July 7, 2022, Kalish’s petition for disciplinary revocation without leave to reapply related to allegations of misappropriation was granted, and the Court ordered further proceedings as to the issue of restitution. By order dated March 30, 2023, Kalish was ordered to comply with the confidential restitution agreements made with the parties. (Case No: SC22-0436)

Michael Thomas Dolce, 3228 Gun Club Rd., West Palm Beach, disciplinary revocation without leave to apply for readmission effective 30 days following a November 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1995) On or about April 4, 2023, Michael Thomas Dolce was criminally charged by indictment with possession of material containing child pornography. The criminal case disposition is pending. (Case No. SC23-1365)

Brandon Scott Labiner, 23322 La Vida Way, Boca Raton, disciplinary revocation without leave to seek readmission effective immediately following a September 28 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2016) Labiner misappropriated over $400,000 from his stepmother’s trust fund, of which he was the sole trustee. He also forged documents submitted to the Bar, including bank records and an affidavit, and failed to withdraw from three cases after he was emergency suspended. Additionally, Labiner was charged with second-degree murder of his father and is being held without bond. (Case No. SC23-0945)

Scot Strems, P.O. Box 145276, Coral Gables, disbarred effective immediately from a December 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2007) Strems engaged in a gross mismanagement of his law firm in a broad pattern of misconduct involving frivolous claims, lack of candor toward the tribunal, discovery violations, Kozel dismissals, conflict of interest, excessive fees, misrepresentation, and violation of supervisory lawyers’ duties. (Case No: SC20-842)

Chris E. Ragano, 3619 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Valrico, disbarred effective immediately as of a December 8 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1997) Respondent entered a plea of guilty to 33 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of out-of-state transmission of child pornography by electronic device. Adjudication of guilt was withheld, and respondent was sentenced to eight years of sex offender probation and five years of state probation, to run concurrently. (Case No: SC22-164)

Timmy W. Cox, Sr., 7401 SW 16th St., Plantation, disbarred immediately as of December 20 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2014) Cox is currently suspended from the practice of law for one year (by court order dated Nov. 10, 2021). Cox failed to respond to official Bar inquiries in three separate Bar matters and failed to file a response to the Court’s Order to Show Cause. (Case No: SC22-1479)

Julio Cesar Marrero, 3850 Bird Rd., #1001, Miami, disbarred, effective 30 days following a February 27 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1988) Marrero was the subject of three separate complaints, all of which indicated that Marrero engaged in systemic and ongoing abuse of the bankruptcy and/or removal proceedings in federal court to obstruct or forestall state court foreclosures or debt collections. Marrero continued these bad faith litigation tactics in the disciplinary proceedings, where he also made misrepresentations to the referee. Marrero was sanctioned for similar misconduct before. (Case No: SC21-652)

Ian Horn, P.O. Box 691, Brandon, disbarred, effective immediately following a February 7 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1986) Horn was adjudicated guilty of one count of violating 18 U.S.C. § 1623(a), a Class D felony. Horn was sentenced to two years of supervised probation, six months of home detention, and 50 hours of community service, with additional terms of probation. Horn further stipulated that he failed to timely notify The Florida Bar of the felony criminal charges. (Case No: SC22-242)

Mark Robert Moon, 9156 Cherry Trace, Seminole, disbarred, effective immediately following a May 25 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2007) Moon failed to diligently represent his clients, failed to adequately communicate, and failed to refund any unused portion of the funds he was holding for the representation. He also failed to participate in the disciplinary proceedings. (Case No: SC22-638)

Stephen Matthew Bander, 121 NE 46th St., Miami, disbarred, effective 30 days following a May 11 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1999) Following an SEC investigation, Bander was put on notice and reminded that commissions or kickbacks to a law firm are prohibited when representing clients in EB-5 immigration applications. After being put on notice, Bander accepted monies from a local regional center to which he referred three EB-5 clients for investment. Bander testified before the SEC that those monies belonged to the clients as a reimbursement for legal fees. However, Bander failed to notify his clients of receipt of the funds, placed them in his operating account rather than his trust account, and used the funds to pay firm expenses, rather than timely reimburse his clients. During the disciplinary proceedings, Bander changed his position and claimed the funds were direct payments to him for legal fees. (Case No: SC21-11)

Meredith Diane Jones, 207 South 2nd Street, Ft. Pierce, disbarred, effective immediately following a May 25 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2012). Jones engaged in a course of conduct in which she repeatedly failed to appear in court, failed to communicate with clients and opposing counsel, and ultimately abandoned her clients’ legal matters. In addition, Jones was already suspended for failing to fully respond, in writing, to three separate inquiries by The Florida Bar. (Case No: SC22-1739)

Wayne Vincent Harper, 2112 W. Marjory Ave., Tampa, disbarred, effective immediately following a July 20 court order, as Harper was already suspended. (Admitted to practice: 2004) Harper failed to comply with the terms and conditions set forth in the referee report and consent judgment previously approved by the Supreme Court. (Case No. SC23-0386)

Joshua Todd Hill Hauserman, 9176 Paragon Way, Boynton Beach, disbarred, effective immediately following a June 6 court order, as Hauserman was already suspended. (Admitted to practice: 2007). Hauserman failed to comply with the terms and conditions set forth in the referee report and consent judgment previously approved by the Supreme Court. (Case No. SC23-0366)

Adres Jaqueen Jackson-Whyte, 633 NE 167th St., Suite 1214, Miami, disbarment, effective nunc pro tunc to December 14, 2022. (Admitted to practice: 2009) Jackson-Whyte misappropriated trust funds and failed to produce trust account records to the Bar. Jackson-Whyte then destroyed client records despite being aware of the Bar’s investigation at the time and made payments in cash to a client so that his government disability payments would not be disturbed by a significant bank balance. The uncontested report of the referee was approved in an August 17 court order. (Case No. SC22-1612)

Kevin Proulx, 406 Pursley Dr., DeLand, disbarred, effective immediately following an August 31 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2004) Proulx served as court-appointed defense counsel in several criminal cases pending in Lake County wherein he failed to provide diligent representation, failed to maintain adequate communication with the clients, failed to obey court orders and ultimately abandoned his clients’ matters. Because Proulx was court appointed, new counsel was appointed to represent the clients and none of the clients were harmed by Proulx’s misconduct. Proulx also failed to respond timely to the Bar’s repeated efforts to communicate with him and failed to participate in the Bar disciplinary proceedings in a meaningful manner. (Case No. SC23-0389)

Bradley Nephase Laurent, 8615 Commodity Cir., Suite 6, Orlando, disbarred effective immediately following a September 28 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2005) Over a period of more than three years, Laurent, a personal injury lawyer, misappropriated a significant amount of client funds from his law office trust account. Laurent was deceptive with the Bar during its early investigation in this matter and misrepresented on his Bar annual fee statements that he was in compliance with the Bar’s rules regulating trust accounts. Laurent later cooperated with the Bar’s investigation, hired a Certified Public Accountant to correct the trust account records and corrected the shortage through the use of his personal funds and loans. (Case No. SC22-851)

Kelly Elizabeth Elkins, 10115 4th St. E., Treasure Island, disbarred effective immediately following a September 28 court order, as Elkins was already suspended. (Admitted to practice: 2001) Elkins misappropriated $25,000 of funds entrusted to her as the escrow agent for a bitcoin transaction. In a separate matter, Elkins was arrested on two separate dates for misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and trespass, respectively. Elkins entered no contest pleas related to each matter but failed to timely report the criminal dispositions to the Bar. (Case No. SC23-0399)

Kevan Kenneth Boyles, 319 8th St., West Palm Beach, disbarred effective immediately following a November 14 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1979) While suspended, Boyles handled funds located in fiduciary trust accounts on behalf of several beneficiaries. In a probate matter, he filed a Petition for Administration and an Amended Petition for Administration falsely stating he had an interest in the case because he had been asked by the personal injury attorney for the estate to serve as personal representative. Boyles also made another misrepresentation to the Bar in a sworn response identifying the attorney he had falsely stated had asked him to serve as personal representative. (Case No. SC2022-0160)

Dick Rongtzuu Lee, 4000 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 555-South, Hollywood, disciplinary revocation with leave to seek readmission after five years, effective 30 days following a May 25 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1988) Lee stipulated to probable cause for several trust account violations and a violation involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation. Lee is alleged to have misappropriated one client’s trust funds and committed other trust account and record keeping violations. There is evidence of complete restitution to the client. (Case No: SC23-0488)

Derek James Acree, P.O. Box 32552, Palm Beach Gardens, disciplinary revocation with leave to apply for readmission, effective immediately following an April 27 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2002) On January 4, 2023, Acree was adjudicated guilty and sentenced to 41 months in prison to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release after he entered a plea of guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. (Case No: SC23-332)

Jose Francisco Garcia, 1948 N. John Young Pkwy, Kissimmee, disciplinary revocation with leave to seek readmission after five years effective 30 days from the June 1 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2001) The Florida Bar conducted a compliance audit of Garcia’s trust account after receiving a complaint from a medical provider alleging that petitioner had failed to honor a letter of protection in a personal injury case. The Bar’s audit revealed that petitioner was not in substantial compliance with the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, which resulted in a shortage in his trust account.  (Case No. SC23-0572)

Elizabeth K. Richert, 8724 SW 72nd St., #282, Miami, disciplinary revocation with leave to seek readmission after five years, effective 30 days following a July 13 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1992) Richert received a judicial referral stemming from a judgment entered against her in a civil action brought by her family members. Richert’s family members alleged that she fraudulently failed to distribute $95,850.83 to them as required by a family trust. As a result of those proceedings The Florida Bar tendered the Petition for Disciplinary Revocation. (Case No. SC23-0614)

Kyle Charles Young, 255 Royal Poinciana Way, Apt. 4, Palm Beach, disciplinary revocation with leave to apply for readmission, effective 30 days following an August 17 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2008) On March 6, 2023, Young was criminally charged with making false and fraudulent misrepresentations in a Paycheck Protection Program loan application. The criminal case disposition is pending. (Case No. SC23-0846)

Kevin Lawrence Hagen, 3531 Griffin Rd., Ft. Lauderdale, disciplinary revocation with leave to seek readmission after five years, effective 30 days following an August 10 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1994) Hagen was convicted of one Count of Conspiracy to Commit Securities Fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371. (Case No. SC23-0961)

Benjamin Waldo Buck, Jr., 503 E. Jackson St., #260, Tampa, disciplinary revocation with leave to seek readmission after five years, effective 30 days following an August 17 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2015) Buck tendered a petition for disciplinary revocation based on allegations of engaging in a pattern of neglect and failure to communicate with his clients. Buck also failed to appear at numerous hearings and failed to respond to orders to show cause in cases across the state of Florida. (Case No. SC23-0214)

Patrick Michael Megaro, 2431 Aloma Ave., Suite 124, Winter Park, disciplinary revocation with leave to apply for readmission after five years, effective 30 days following a September 21 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2004) The Florida Bar commenced an investigation of Megaro due to two disciplinary sanctions imposed in other jurisdictions. Megaro received a five-year suspension as recommended by the Disciplinary Hearing Commission for the North Carolina State Bar for entering into an improper representation agreement with clients of a diminished capacity and engaging in conduct that was prejudicial to the administration of justice. In addition, Megaro was suspended by the United States Court of Appeals in the Fifth Circuit on July 7, 2021. (Case No. SC23-1119)

John Edward Eagen, P.O. Box 1545, Tallahassee, disciplinary revocation with leave to apply for readmission, effective 30 days following a September 21 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1990) Eagen had a disciplinary case pending before the court, which involved neglect of several client matters and multiple referrals from the First District court of Appeal. The court approved Eagen’s Petition for Disciplinary Revocation by Order dated September 21, 2023. (Case No. SC23-0691)

Derek Michael Aronoff, 4538 SW Darlington St., Port Saint Lucie, disciplinary revocation with leave to apply for readmission to The Florida Bar after five years, effective immediately following an August 31 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2001) The Florida Bar opened an investigation after receiving a grievance from Aronoff’s former client demonstrating that, after the effective date of his suspension from the practice of law in 2022, Aronoff continued communicating with the client, drafted pleadings, and gave the client legal advice regarding an upcoming hearing in her mortgage foreclosure case. As a result, Aronoff engaged in the unlicensed practice of law in violation of the order of the Supreme court of Florida suspending him in 2022. (Case No. SC23-0942)

Raegan S. Yunger, 125 S. Swoope Ave., Suite 210, Maitland, suspended and a referee was appointed to recommend discipline, effective 30 days following a January 26 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2005) On January 19, 2023, Yunger pled guilty to one count of manslaughter, a second degree felony, and one count of possession of methamphetamine, a third degree felony. The trial court adjudicated Yunger guilty and sentenced her to 10 years in the Florida Department of Corrections. (Case No: SC23-116)

Mark Edwin Heimendinger, 1034 Long Branch Ln., Oviedo, suspended due to a felony conviction, effective 30 days following an August 31 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2016) On August 25, 2023, Heimendinger entered a plea of nolo contendere to Aggravated Assault (a third-degree felony), Carrying Concealed Firearm (a third-degree felony), Improper Exhibition of a Dangerous Weapon (a first degree misdemeanor) and Battery (a first-degree misdemeanor). The criminal court withheld adjudication on the two felony charges and adjudicated Heimendinger guilty on the two misdemeanor charges. The Supreme Court has ordered that a referee be appointed to recommend the appropriate sanction. (Case No. SC23-1224)

Christopher Whittington Dudley, 598 Trelago Way, Apt. 303, Maitland, suspended pursuant to 3-7.2(f), the felony suspension rule, effective immediately following a September 18 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2021) Dudley entered a plea of nolo contendere to the charges of Attempted Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling, a third-degree felony, and Criminal Mischief (above $200 but below $1,000), a first-degree misdemeanor. The court withheld adjudication of guilt as to all counts and sentenced Dudley to two years of conditional probation as to the felony count and to credit for time served as to the misdemeanor count. (Case No. SC23-1306)

Ronald Stuart Lubetsky, 220 SW Natura Ave., Deerfield Beach, felony suspended effective 30 days following a September 7 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2002) The Florida Bar filed its Notice of Determination or Judgment of Guilt following a judgment finding Lubetsky guilty of seven (7) counts of knowingly and intentionally dispensing a controlled substance without authorization by law, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1). Lubetsky was committed to the custody of the United States Bureau of Prisons to be imprisoned for a total term of sixty (60) months. (Case No. SC23-1249)

Jason Dale Volkman, 2320 SW 140th Ave., Ocala, suspended pursuant to 3-7.2(f), the felony suspension rule, effective 30 days following an October 6 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2000) Volkman pled nolo-contendere to one count of Sexual Battery on a Person 12-18 Years by a Person in Familial Custodial Authority, a first-degree felony, 20 counts of Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, second-degree felonies, 20 counts of Possession of Child Pornography (10 or more images), second-degree felonies, one count of Delivery of Opiates, a second-degree felony, 2 counts of Video Voyeurism, third-degree felonies, and one count of Contributing to the Delinquency or Dependency of a Minor, a first-degree misdemeanor. The court adjudicated Volkman guilty of all the above-referenced charges and sentenced him to 30 years in the Florida Department of Corrections followed by five years of sex offender probation in Count 1, 15 years in the Florida Department of Corrections in Counts 2–42, five years in the Florida Department of Corrections in Counts 43–44, and 364 days in the Marion County Jail in Count 45, with credit for 496 days’ time served. The counts are to run concurrently. (Case No. SC23-1379)

Brandon Scott Labiner, 2322 LaVida Way, Boca Raton, emergency suspended, effective 30 days following an April 18 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2016) Labiner is alleged to have misappropriated approximately $540,000 from a trust for which he acts as trustee, altered documents and made misrepresentations to The Florida Bar regarding his misconduct. (Case No: SC23-0525)

Alex S. Barnett, P.O. Box 2890, Silver Spring, MD, emergency suspended effectively immediately following  a February 28 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2018) Barnett posted on social media, and in other communications and/or filings disparaged and/or impugned a variety of legal and law enforcement organizations, and used threats of violence that are contrary to the administration of justice. Barnett’s language included a profanities and threats to kill numerous individuals and blow up the Florida Supreme Court. (Case No: SC23-0273)

Jean Berry, 1001 S. Myrtle Avenue, Suite 11, Clearwater, suspended effective 30 days following a January 5 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2002) Berry failed to respond to Florida Bar File No. 2023-10, 176 (6A). The Florida Bar filed its Petition for Contempt and Order to Show Cause on November 3, 2022, and the Florida Supreme Court ordered Berry to show cause by November 21, 2022. Berry failed to file a response to the court’s Order to Show Cause. Berry is ordered suspended until she has responded in writing to the official Bar inquiries, and until further order of the court. (Case No: SC22-1499)

Christopher Michael Reynolds, 11125 Park Blvd, Suite 104-226, Seminole, suspended effective immediately as of a December 15 court order granting his petition for emergency suspension. (Admitted to practice: 2008) Reynolds abandoned his law practice without notice and without taking steps to protect the interests of his clients. Reynolds failed to respond to the Bar’s investigative inquiries regarding alleged misappropriations of more than $200,000.00 of client funds. (Case No: SC22-1659)

Kevin Proulx, 406 Pursley Drive, DeLand, suspended effective 30 days from December 20 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2004) Proulx failed to respond in writing to the Bar’s investigative inquiries required under Rule 4-8.4(g). Proulx also failed to respond to the Order to Show Cause issued by the Supreme Court of Florida in the bar’s contempt proceeding against him. (Case No: SC22-1390)

Joshua Kelly Moran, 1792 Bell Tower Lane, Weston, suspended until such time as he answers inquiries from The Florida Bar and until further order of the Florida Supreme Court, effective 30 days following a February 17 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2012) Moran was held in contempt of The Florida Supreme Court and suspended for his failure to respond to investigative inquiries promulgated by The Florida Bar. (Case No: SC22-1545)

Alex S. Barnett, P.O. Box 2890, Silver Spring, Maryland, suspended, effective immediately following a May 11 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2018) Barnett entered a plea of nolo contendere to the charge of written threats to conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism, in violation of Florida Statute 836.10(2)(b), a second degree felony, and the court withheld adjudication. (Case No: SC23-0667)

Denise A. Gunn, 2800 Davis Blvd., Suite 206, Naples, suspended, effective 30 days following a July 19 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1997) Gunn failed to respond to an official Bar inquiry in Florida Bar File No. 2022-10,464(20B). The Florida Bar filed a Petition for Contempt and Order to Show Cause on May 22, 2023, and the Florida Supreme Court ordered Gunn to show cause by June 6, 2023. Gunn failed to file a response to the court’s Order to Show Cause. Gunn is ordered to be suspended until she fully responds in writing to the official Bar inquiry and until further order of the court. (Case No. SC23-0727)

Gale Marie Bobenhausen, 30 Bishop Creek Dr., Safety Harbor, suspended, effective 30 days following a July 3 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1984) Bobenhausen was held in contempt by the court and suspended for her failure to respond to inquiries from The Florida Bar in Florida Bar File No. 2023-10,191(6A). The Florida Bar filed its Petition for Contempt and Order to Show Cause on May 9, 2023, and the Florida Supreme Court ordered Bobenhausen to respond by May 25, 2023. Bobenhausen failed to file a response. Bobenhausen is to remain suspended until she has fully responded in writing to the official Bar inquiries, and until further order of the court. (Case No. SC23-0660)

Frank T. Noska, P.O. Box 254, Palm Beach, suspended until further order of the Court, effective 30 days following a July 31 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1982) Noska failed to respond to The Florida Bar File No. 2020-50,396(15E). The Florida Bar filed its Petition for Contempt and Order to Show Cause on May 15, 2023. On that same day, the Florida Supreme Court ordered Noska to show cause by May 30, 2023. Noska failed to file a response to the Court’s Order to Show Cause. By court order dated July 31, 2023, Noska was held in contempt and suspended until he has fully responded in writing to an official Bar inquiry, and until further order of the court. (Case No. SC23-0679)

Mariano Ramon Gonzalez, Jr., 1401 Sawgrass Corporate Pkwy., Suite 186, Sunrise, suspended until further order of the Court, effective 30 days following an October 10 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1993). Gonzalez failed to respond to a Bar inquiry. The Florida Bar filed its Petition for Contempt and Order to Show Cause on July 24, 2023. On July 26, 2023, the Florida Supreme Court ordered Gonzalez to show cause by August 10, 2023. Gonzalez failed to file a response to the court’s Order to Show Cause. Gonzalez was held in contempt and suspended until he has fully responded in writing to an official Bar inquiry, and until further order of the court. (Case No. SC23-1049)

John Spencer Jenkins, 101 NE 3rd Ave., Suite 1500, Ft. Lauderdale, suspended until further order of the court, effective 30 days following a November 13 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2012) Jenkins failed to respond to The Florida Bar File No. 2023-50,541(17G). The Florida Bar filed its Petition for Contempt and Order to Show Cause on September 11, 2023. On September 13, 2023, the Florida Supreme Court ordered Jenkins to show cause by September 28, 2023. Jenkins failed to file a response to the court’s Order to Show Cause. By court order dated November 13, 2023, Jenkins was held in contempt and suspended until he has fully responded in writing to an official Bar inquiry, and until further order of the court. (Case No. SC23-1271)

Rebecca L. Morgan, 3004 Flowertree Rd., Belle Isle, suspended from the practice of law, effective immediately as Morgan is already suspended pursuant to a court order dated August 31, 2023. (Admitted to practice: 2008) The Supreme Court of Florida held Morgan in contempt for failing to respond to three separate Bar complaints. She also failed to file a response to the court’s Order to Show Cause. (Case No. SC23-1101)

Mark D. Siegel, 3205 Southgate Circle, Suite 4, Sarasota, suspended for three years, effective immediately following a March 2 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1983) Siegel personally failed to respond to an arbitration petition, was defaulted, and purposely avoided service of process in the enforcement action. He also avoided service of process of a legal malpractice suit filed against him for lack of diligence, lack of communication and incompetence. Siegel failed to respond to several official bar inquiries, was held in contempt and suspended. (Case No: SC22-594)

Kathleen Lynn Smades, 217 Earl St., Tarpon Springs, suspended for three years nunc pro tunc December 4, 2021 (the date of respondent’s suspension from the practice of law after the filing of a felony determination), two years of probation upon application for reinstatement, and, prior to application for reinstatement, must complete the Multistate Professional Responsibilities Examination, obtain a determination from Florida Lawyer’s Assistance, Inc., that respondent is fit to practice and comply with medical and substance abuse treatment. (Admitted to practice: 1998) In 2013, Smades was arrested on three separate occasions for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Pinellas County. In each of these criminal cases, Smades was adjudicated guilty for first-degree misdemeanor offenses. In 2019, Smades was arrested on two separate occasions for DUI and Refusal to Submit to Testing in Pinellas County. She was adjudicated guilty for a third-degree felony offense in each of the 2019 criminal cases. Smades failed to inform The Florida Bar of any of the arrests or convictions. She argued that at the time of arrest she was suffering from Auto Brewery Syndrome. The referee found that respondent did not suffer from Auto Brewery Syndrome but rather alcohol use disorder. (Case No: SC21-1521)

Brian P. Rush, 3411 W. Fletcher Ave., Suite B, Tampa, suspended for three years, effective 30 days following a May 4 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1982) Rush failed to follow his client’s directives and placed his personal pecuniary interests ahead of the client’s stated goals in connection with his representation of the client in an eminent domain case. Rush also attempted to charge and collect a clearly excessive fee and engaged in conduct that was prejudicial to the administration of justice. (Case No: SC20-1685)

Gregory Michael Nordt, 7501 NW 4th St., Suite 207A, Ft. Lauderdale, suspended for three years, effective immediately following a July 20 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1995) Nordt entered a plea of nolo contendere to leaving the scene of a crash with personal injuries, a third-degree felony, and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) causing property damage/personal injury, a misdemeanor. (Case No. SC22-789)

Bryon R. Aven, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Bldg. D., Viera, suspended for two years, effective 30 days following a September 14 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2008) While employed as an assistant state attorney, Aven engaged in prosecutorial misconduct by eliciting and bolstering false testimony from several witnesses during the criminal trial, which resulted in the dismissal of the criminal charges. (Case No.SC23-0456)

Joseph Anthony Sorce, 999 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Suite 1020, Coral Gables, suspended for two years, effective nunc pro tunc to August 7, 2023. (Admitted to practice: 1994) Sorce pled no contest to charges of felony reckless driving with serious bodily injury, possession of cocaine, and two counts of misdemeanor DUI. Adjudication was withheld as to the felony charges, and Sorce was sentenced to five years of probation. (Case No. SC23-1100)

Bert Edward Moore, P.O. Box 1622, Crestview, suspended for one year, effective 30 days following a January 26 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1980) Moore was retained to file a claim on behalf of a client who alleged that sexually explicit photos were posted on the internet without her knowledge or consent. Moore filed the claim timely but miscalculated the 30-day deadline for filing the complaint in probate court, thereby resulting in the dismissal of the client’s probate complaint. He also failed to properly communicate with his client throughout his representation in probate court. In an attempt to rectify his mistake, Moore paid the client $15,000 over the period of a year before any Bar complaint was filed. The client then demanded another $3,000 and harassed Moore for several months with texts threatening to file a complaint, which she did after Moore refused to pay the additional funds. (Case No: SC21-1132)

Eduardo Julio Mejias, 283 Cranes Roost Blvd., Suite 111, Altamonte Springs, suspended for one year followed by probation for three years, effective 30 days following a February 9 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1999) Mejias engaged in a pattern of misconduct in which he neglected client matters and failed to comply with court orders. In several matters, Mejias was sanctioned by the court. (Case No: SC21-1610)

Jonathan Grant Morton, 1395 Brickell Ave., Suite 900, Miami, suspended for 18 months, effective 30 days following a March 2 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2008) This is a reciprocal disciplinary action, resulting from an order of discipline from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, imposing an 18-month suspension for Morton’s failure to limit the volume of his trademark practice to an amount for whom he could provide competent representation. Morton’s grossly inflated clientele resulted in his failure to properly review each application prior to filing same, as well as his failure to conduct required pre-filing inquiries, despite his certification that he had done so. (Case No: SC22-1574)

Brian McKenna O’Connell, 120 N. US 1, Tequesta, suspended for one year and required to attend Ethics School, effective 30 days following a June 29 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1980) O’Connell used funds from a client’s trust based on his belief that the terms of the trust permitted him to borrow those funds. O’Connell failed to advise his client to seek independent counsel regarding the provision in the trust that O’Connell believed allowed him to borrow funds for his own use. O’Connell paid back the funds with interest a few months after using them. He also made a charitable donation on behalf of the client but told the charity it was on his own behalf and then deducted the same donation on his tax return. O’Connell stated that these acts were mistakes that he ultimately corrected, both with the charity and by filing an amended tax return. (Case No. SC22-699)

Leo Benitez, 122 Minorca Ave., Coral Gables, suspended for one year, effective 30 days following a July 20 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1989) Benitez filed and pursued a frivolous lawsuit, even after receiving evidence that demonstrated an affidavit on which he relied to support his claims was false. Benitez did not withdraw the affidavit, but rather he continued to rely on his client’s denials and did not conduct an independent assessment of the case. Benitez presented significant mitigation, including that he was sanctioned by the trial court for the frivolous litigation. He also accepted responsibility and showed remorse in the disciplinary proceedings. (Case No. SC22-649)

Lee Segal, 2625 McCormick Dr., Suite 104-105, Clearwater, suspended for one year, effective 30 days following an August 10 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2007) In three different matters, Segal engaged in misconduct including conflict of interests with his clients and evasive and misrepresentative statements made to the courts. Segal’s conduct involved deceit and was prejudicial to the administration of justice. (Case No. SC23-1067)

Erica Helene Kobloth, 34 Eagle Ave., BSMT, Paterson, New Jersey, suspended for one year, effective immediately following an August 3 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2012) After being hired to provide legal representation, Kobloth failed to appear for a specially set trial date and did not timely notify the court that she would not be in attendance. In another matter, Kobloth failed to take significant action on behalf of a client or keep the client reasonably informed about the status of his case. (Case No. SC22-1578)

Wanda I. Rufin, 1529 SW 1st St., Miami, suspended for one year, effective 30 days following a September 7 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1999) While representing the husband in a dissolution of marriage, Rufin made partial unauthorized distributions of the trust funds from the proceeds of the sale of the marital home. When the court ordered a final equitable distribution to the former wife, Rufin failed to advise the court about the remaining balance of the marital funds held in a second escrow account. Rufin has since disgorged the full amount to the former wife. (Case No. SC22-0821)

Leon Menas Boyajan, II, 2303 Highway 44 W., Inverness, suspended for one year, effective 30 days following a November 2 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1983) Boyajan engaged in a pattern of neglect and lack of communication in multiple matters. He also engaged in a conflict of interest when he consulted with three co-defendants regarding their criminal matter, and then represented two of the three co-defendants in the matter. With Boyajan’s assistance, the state obtained proffers from his clients implicating the third co-defendant in the crime, who was also a former client of Boyajan’s. Boyajan failed to explain the advantages and risks involved or obtain his clients’ informed consent with regard to the joint representation, and never sought waivers of the conflict of interest. (Case No. SC23-0630

Anton Aggrey Gammons, P.O. Box 682048, Orlando, suspended for six months, effective immediately. (Admitted to practice: 2011) Gammons engaged in sexual conduct with a client he was representing in a dependency court matter. (Case No: SC22-1667)

Richard G. Chosid, 3110 NE 48th St., Lighthouse Point, suspended for six months and ordered to attend The Florida Bar’s Trust Accounting Workshop, effective 60 days following a February 16 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1963) Chosid accepted a deposit for a client into his trust account and agreed to disburse the funds at the client’s direction for a 10% fee. Chosid ultimately received $1.43 million and disbursed the funds as directed by the client. The funds were intended to secure a standby letter of credit for a third party. Chosid breached his fiduciary duty to the third party by failing to inquire further and apprise himself of the intended purpose of the funds and instead distributed them in accordance with his client’s instructions. (Case No: SC23-183)

Emelike Nwosuocha, 14328 SW 101st St., Miami, suspended for six months, effective 30 days following an August 17 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2008) Attorney’s fees were assessed against Nwosuocha for filing a frivolous medical malpractice complaint and failing to pay the defendant the amount ordered. Nwosuocha also failed to timely respond to the Bar’s complaint or request for admissions and consequently was defaulted. At the time of the final hearing, Nwosuocha still had not paid the amount due in attorney’s fees nor did he demonstrate remorse for his misconduct. (Case No. SC22-1776)

Andrew John Manie, P.O. Box 720236, Orlando, suspended for six months, effective immediately following a September 21 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2015) Manie failed to timely furnish a copy of the court’s June 9, 2022, suspension order to some of the courts before which he was counsel of record. Prior to his suspension, Manie also engaged in a course of conduct whereby he failed to appear for court hearings on behalf of several clients, resulting in the entry of default judgments against those clients, and necessitating Manie to take corrective action by filing motions to vacate judgment due to his excusable neglect. Finally, in connection with his representation of a client in a personal injury case, Manie deposited client funds related to a settlement into his operating account. (Case No. SC23-1277)

Rebecca L. Morgan, 3004 Flowertree Rd., Belle Isle, suspended for four months, effective 30 days following an August 31 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2008) Morgan engaged in a pattern of neglect while representing several clients in immigration matters. In one instance, she failed to timely appear at a hearing due to a family emergency, and the immigration judge entered an order for removal. After Morgan failed to get a response from the chief counsel’s office to get their position in order to have the matter reheard, Morgan failed to further address the client’s matter because of her severe illness. In another matter, a client repeatedly attempted to contact Morgan, and after receiving no communication, the client went to Morgan’s law office, which was abandoned. Morgan was unaware of the client’s matter or need for assistance, and she did not provide a refund in the matter. Additionally, Morgan engaged in a course of conduct in which she failed to update her address with the United States Department of Homeland Security resulting in letters for her clients being returned as undeliverable. She also failed to timely respond to the Bar’s multiple investigative inquiries. (Case No. SC23-0448)

Tracy N. Davis, 3601 SW Foremost Dr., Port St Lucie, suspended for 91 days as of December 15 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1998) Davis represented a client in his previously-filed civil case. Davis failed to file a timely response to a supplemental motion for summary judgment or ask for an extension to respond. As a result, the trial court granted the motion stating in its order that Davis failed to respond with admissible evidence as required under Rule 1.510 of the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure. (Case No: SC22-1673)

Matthew Thorstad,11105 157 Place N., Jupiter, suspended for 91 days, effective 30 days following a July 6 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2011) Thorstad issued improper subpoenas in ongoing litigation and concealed the existence of these subpoenas from the parties, non-parties, and their counsel in an attempt to obtain records directly from a third-party health provider. In issuing the subpoenas, Thorstad violated the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and numerous court orders. Thorstad was found to be in indirect criminal contempt and civil contempt for this conduct. (Case No. SC22-1575)

Aram Caldarera Bloom, 10800 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 600, Miami, suspended for 91 days, effective 30 days following a July 27 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2009) Bloom neglected one client’s case by failing to communicate the status of the case; failing to timely respond to motions or attend hearings; and misinforming the client about the effect of the court’s ruling, resulting in $17,000 in court-ordered sanctions against the client. Respondent was remorseful and cooperative with the Bar proceedings. (Case No. SC23-139)

Lisa Jacobs, 20401 NE 30th Ave., Apt. 318, Aventura, suspended for 91 days, effective 30 days following a July 14 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1999) Jacobs failed to comply with the terms and conditions set forth in the referee report and consent judgment previously approved by the Supreme Court. (Case No. SC23-0703)

Tarica C. LaBossiere, 4126 Inverrary Blvd., Apt. 2418, Lauderhill, suspended for 91 days, effective immediately following an August 3 court order, as LaBossiere is no longer practicing law. (Admitted to practice: 2018) LaBossiere failed to comply with all terms and conditions set forth in the terms of her probation, which included a requirement to comply with her FLA, Inc., rehabilitation contract. LaBossiere violated this contract by failing to abstain from the consumption of alcohol and testing positive for mood altering drugs. (Case No. SC23-0313)

Oscar Antonio Hotusing, 857 Banyan Dr., Melbourne, suspended for 91 days with proof of rehabilitation required prior to being reinstated to the practice of law and completion of Ethics School, effective 30 days following a September 28 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1993) Hotusing assisted a client in a dissolution of marriage matter that was filed in Maryland, even though Hotusing was not admitted to practice law in Maryland. Hotusing e-filed pleadings and other documents for the client through the Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC). Hotusing used his law office email address and chose a pro se category when registering with MDEC, thereby concealing his assistance to the client from the trial court. When opposing counsel in the dissolution case discovered Hotusing’s conduct, she notified the trial court and reported it to The Florida Bar. (Case No. SC22-0944)

Erik David Wesoloski, 848 Brickell Ave, Suite 302, Miami, suspended for 90 days effective 30 days from December 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2001) Wesoloski failed to maintain electronic evidence substantial to litigation, produced incomplete documents, and opposed further efforts to obtain full disclosure of electronic data. (Case No: SC21-1725)

Jeffrey Edward Appel, P.O. Box 6097, Lakeland, suspended for 90 days with a two-year probationary period with Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc., effective nunc pro tunc September 14, 2022, the date of his existing suspension, following a December 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1993) Appel pled guilty to Driving Under the Influence and the court sentenced him to 10 days in the county jail to be served by weekend work release, with credit for time served, and 363 days of conditional probation. Appel had a prior arrest and conviction in 2017 for Driving Under the Influence. (Case No: SC22-1679)

Hanna Mary Renna, P.O. Box 188, Elmira, NY, suspended for 90 days and ordered to attend ethics school and a professionalism workshop, effective 30 days following a January 4 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2010) Renna, during the representation of a criminal defendant, conducted a deposition of a minor witness who had previously identified her client from a photo pack as the perpetrator. Prior to the deposition, Renna printed copies of the photo pack and renumbered them. Unbeknownst to the state and the witness, Renna used a photograph of a different person than who was identified by the witness when questioning the witness about identification. Renna then relied in part on identification made during the deposition to file a motion to suppress. (Case No: SC22-1484)

Sabine Millien-Felix, 510 27th St., West Palm Beach, suspended for 90 days, effective 30 days following a February 9 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2004) Millien-Felix was hired as general counsel for a homeowners’ association, whom she filed a civil complaint on behalf of and subsequently neglected. Millien-Felix then failed to inform the homeowners’ association, which was also assessed costs, that the lawsuit was dismissed for lack of prosecution. Just before the running of the statute of limitations, Millien-Felix refiled the case after the association terminated her representation. Millien-Felix has been repaying the costs assessed to the former client. (Case No: SC23-141)

Joseph Lester Boles, Jr., 19 Riberia St., St. Augustine, suspended for 90 days, effective 30 days following an April 20 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1984) In several instances, Boles failed to make the required disclosures and obtain the required written statements acknowledging that the disclosures were made to the testator before appointing himself as backup successor trustee or personal representative in violation of Florida statutes. Boles also engaged in a conflict of interest in a probate matter by failing to advise the beneficiaries to seek independent counsel before having them sign waivers of their right as a beneficiary and appointing himself as surrogate beneficiary. (Case No: SC22-1628)

Marie Delapena, P.O. Box 3271, Windermere, suspended for 90 days, effective immediately following a July 23 court order. (Admitted to practice; 2019) Delapena failed to disclose her termination of employment from a law firm to The Florida Bar on her application for admission to the Bar. (Case No. SC22-1372)

David Andrew Taylor III, 233 E. Bay St, Suite 1020, Jacksonville, suspended for 60 days, effective 30 days from a December 8 court order, and ordered to attend ethics school within 60 days of the December 8 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1997) A retainer agreement drafted by Taylor and signed by his client was not in compliance with ethical rules because Taylor did not advise the client in writing to seek the advice of independent counsel. Taylor also failed to properly supervise an attorney in his law firm who violated the advertising rules. (Case No: SC21-291 and SC21-724)

Daniel Wayne Perry, 4767 New Broad St., #1007, Orlando, suspended for 60 days and ordered to attend The Florida Bar’s Ethics School, effective 30 days following a February 23 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1983) Perry engaged in a pattern of misconduct during his representation of several mobile park homeowners’ associations. Perry filed frivolous lawsuits, violated the confidentiality provisions of the Florida Mediation Act, and paid attorneys’ fee sanction amounts out of his own pocket to convince clients to further litigate their cases. Perry’s conduct created conflicts of interest with his clients. (Case No: SC22-391)

Jonathan Clement Zisser, 121 W. Forsyth St., Suite 1000, Jacksonville, suspended for 60 days, effective April 3 following a March 2 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2001) Zisser was hired to represent the client in a divorce proceeding and in a criminal domestic batter case as her victim advocate. During the representation, Zisser began a sexual relationship with the client.  The client’s husband exposed the relationship between the two, and Zisser ended his representation of the client. (Case No: SC22-591)

Luis Ernesto Basagoitia, 1320 N. Semoran Blvd., Suite 106, Orlando, suspended for 60 days and ordered to attend Ethics School and Stress Management Workshop, effective 30 days following a March 9 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1989) While representing a client in a dissolution of marriage matter, Basagoitia failed to file a notice of appearance, which caused him to not be served with orders issued by the court. He also failed to provide his client with competent representation and adequate communication. In the course of the representation, as well as during the disciplinary proceeding, Basagoitia made several inappropriate and disparaging remarks about his client. (Case No: SC22-837)

Jonathon Charles Avery Blevins, P.O. Box 560489, Orlando, suspended for 60 days and required to complete Ethics School, effective 30 days following an April 20 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2008) Blevins did not follow proper procedures for lawyers leaving law firms. Blevins failed to negotiate with his employing firm an acceptable joint letter to be sent to the affected clients. Instead, Blevins and his law partner unilaterally mailed a letter to the affected clients advising them of their departure from the firm and of the clients’ rights to choose to remain a client of the law firm, to choose representation by the departing lawyer’s firm, or to choose representation by another law firm. (Case No: SC22-1415)

Hazem Reda Bata, 6353 Silver Leaf Drive, Zionsville, Indiana, suspended for 60 days and ordered to attend Ethics School, effective May 15, 2023. (Admitted to practice: 2005) Bata served as an escrow agent for a land deal in the Bahamas. An initial deposit on behalf of the buyer was provided by an investor who subsequently requested the return of the funds. Bata returned the funds and failed to notify the parties to the contract. The contract remained in limbo for over a decade while various issues with the land were resolved. In 2019, when the parties were ready to finalize the deal, the buyer learned for the first time that Bata no longer had the funds in his possession. (Case No: SC22-1361)

Michael M. Stover, 134 Masters Dr., St. Augustine, suspended for 60 days followed by a three-year period of probation effective 30 days following a November 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2015) Stover was arrested for the purchase of illegal narcotics in exchange for legal services. The Office of the State Attorney charged Stover with purchasing or possessing with intent to purchase a controlled substance, a third-degree felony. Stover entered into a Pretrial Intervention (PTI) Contract with the State, which he successfully completed. The State Attorney’s Office filed a Notice of Completion of Pre-Trial Intervention Agreement and Nolle Prosequi dismissing the criminal charges based on Stover’s completion of the PTI contract. (Case No. SC23-1204)

Michael Andrew Adams, P.O. Box 560489, Orlando, suspended for 45 days and required to complete Ethics School, effective 30 days following an April 20 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2011) Adams did not follow proper procedures for lawyers leaving law firms. Adams failed to negotiate with his employing firm an acceptable joint letter to be sent to the affected clients. Instead, Adams and his law partner unilaterally mailed a letter to the affected clients advising them of their departure from the firm and of the clients’ rights to choose to remain a client of the law firm, to choose representation by the departing lawyer’s firm, or to choose representation by another law firm. (Case No: SC22-1410)

Allison A. Belcher, 2541 Green Forest Ln., Suite 102, Lutz, suspended for 30 days and ordered to attend ethics school, effective 30 days following a December 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2000) Belcher agreed to privately represent a client that had approached the firm initially, and failed to inform the client that she was not providing representation on behalf of the firm and failed to inform the firm that she was representing the client privately. In addition, Belcher failed to diligently handle the client matter and failed to keep the client reasonably apprised of the status of the matter. Belcher failed to supervise an employee who engaged in impermissible solicitation via Facebook. Belcher believed in good faith that the firm was compliant with relevant ethics opinions and cooperated with the disciplinary proceeding. (Case No: SC22-1701)

Philip Sean Karle, 5 W. Highbanks Rd., Debary, suspended for 10 days and ordered to complete an office procedures and record-keeping analysis by and under the direction of the Diversion/Discipline Consultation Service, effective 30 days following an August 3 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2007) While representing a client in a family law matter, Karle failed to appear for several case management conferences. The court ultimately dismissed the case and referred Karle to The Florida Bar. Karle advised that he did not appear at some of the case management conference dates because the hearings were not placed on his calendar. After reviewing his emails, Karle determined that the notices of these dates were filtered out of his email inbox and archived into “All Mail.” Karle refiled the case and personally paid the filing fee. (Case No. SC22-1815)

Paul Wesley Darby, 221 N. Joanna Ave., Tavares, suspended for 10 days and placed on probation for three years with monitoring by Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc., effective 30 days following an August 3 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2009) In 2021, Darby pled no contest to Reckless Driving with Alcohol and Refusal to Submit to Chemical/Physical Test. In 2022, in a separate misdemeanor matter, Darby pled guilty to Leaving the Scene of a Crash. Darby then violated his probation with an arrest and no contest plea to Driving Under the Influence (1 Prior Conviction) and Refusal to Submit to Chemical/Physical Test. He was credited with time served and received a 12-month period of probation with special conditions. (Case No. SC23-0417)

Michael Gray Moore, 206 Wellisford Way, Deland, public reprimand by publication effective December 8. (Admitted to practice: 1992) In December 2020, in Volusia County Case No. 2020-105768-MMDL, Moore was charged by Information with Battery, a misdemeanor of the first degree, alleged to have occurred on October 15, 2020. On May 24, 2022, Moore pled no contest and received a withhold of adjudication and six months of conditional probation. (Case No: SC22-1348)

Heather Brooke Quick, 8771 Perimeter Park Court, Suite 101, Jacksonville, public reprimand and ordered to attend ethics school, effective within six months of a January 16 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2001) Quick’s firm was retained to represent a client in a divorce matter. The associate assigned to the case resigned from the firm. As a result, the client terminated the firm’s services and demanded a refund of attorney fees paid. Quick returned a portion of the retainer and indicated the delay was due to a breakdown in her firm’s policies and procedures. The Bar’s auditor reviewed Quick’s trust account and determined the delay in processing the refund was an unintentional error. (Case No: SC22-1672)

Susan Rachel Torres, 7750 SW 117th Ave., Suite 202B, Miami, publicly reprimanded, effective immediately following a February 9 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2011) Torres failed to timely correct a mistake in an appeal and failed to supervise a nonlawyer assistant in an immigration matter causing an order of deportation to become final. Torres has refunded all the fees paid to her in this matter. (Case No: SC23-155)

Gary Grant, 1498 SW 5th Ave., Boca Raton, publicly reprimanded and referred to the Diversion/Discipline Consultation Service (“DDCS”) of The Florida Bar, effective immediately following a March 30 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2017) The court found that Grant, who represented a third party in post-judgment collection activities, including in a deposition and proceedings supplementary, pursuant to Fla. Stat. §56.29 and Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 69, acted with incompetence and made misstatements and baseless arguments in pleadings to the court. Grant admits that he made mistakes in representing his client, but that said mistakes were due to a lack of competence rather than any intentional misrepresentation. (Case No: SC23-0353)

Mark Alan Kamilar, 2921 SW 27th Ave., Miami, public reprimand, effective immediately following a May 25 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1980) Kamilar consented to a public reprimand for a conflict of interest between two clients: the law firm and its employee, the latter also subject of two separate Bar grievances. Kamilar served as Bar defense counsel for various attorneys from the law firm; authored the confidential termination agreement by which the employee left the law firm; and sent a letter to same employee threatening legal action on behalf of the law firm. Kamilar has withdrawn representation in the two Bar matters. (Case No: SC23-0683).

George Crosby Gaskell III, P.O. Box 1111, Stuart, publicly reprimanded and ordered to complete The Florida Bar’s Trust Accounting Workshop, to participate in The Florida Bar’s Fee Arbitration Program with the affected clients, and in Florida Lawyer’s Assistance, Inc.’s program, effective immediately following an April 13 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2007) Gaskell represented two clients in an eviction case. After he successfully negotiated a settlement, a dispute arose between Gaskell and his clients regarding his legal fees. Gaskell believed the clients orally authorized him to keep the settlement funds as payment of the fees owed but did not reduce the agreement to writing. After Gaskell took the funds as payment, the clients disputed that this agreement existed. Gaskell’s failure to maintain adequate communication with his clients contributed to the misunderstanding about his legal fees. (Case No: SC22-948)

Edward Serrano Rosado, PO Box 25401, Tampa, public reprimand effective following a June 1 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2003) Rosado failed to diligently file a lawsuit or take other appropriate action on a client’s behalf in a personal injury matter, which resulted in the expiration of the statute of limitations for the client’s claims. (Case No. SC23-0713)

RoseMarie Feller, 745 Primera Blvd, Ste 1001, Lake Mary, public reprimand and completion of Ethics School effective following a June 15 order. (Admitted to practice: 2001) Feller and a former client entered into a business relationship where they created a new law firm in which the former client, a nonlawyer, had an ownership interest. Such a business arrangement is prohibited by the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. Although Feller took steps to change the ownership interest in the law firm to comply with the rules, her former client continued marketing efforts that did not comply with the Bar’s rules. After Feller ended the business relationship with her former client, the former client filed suit against her. Feller told opposing counsel in the suit that, unless it was dismissed, she would file criminal charges against the former client and his family members. The Bar rules prohibit an attorney from threatening criminal charges to gain an advantage in a civil matter. (Case No. SC2022-1779)

Marc S. Reiner, 12316 Equine Ln., West Palm Beach, public reprimand and ordered to attend The Florida Bar’s Professionalism Workshop and The Florida Bar Board Certification Review Course for Criminal Law. Effective immediately following an August 24 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2008) Reiner represented a client in a criminal matter. The client was under pretrial supervision and monitored by a GPS ankle monitor. During the representation, Reiner met with the client with the permission of Pretrial Services but made stops during that meeting that were not specifically authorized. When questioned by the court regarding the stops, Reiner did not provide sufficient or clear responses as to the stops or as to his belief that those stops were permissible. (Case No. SC23-0387)

Kaysia Monica Earley, P.O. Box 451832, Sunrise, public reprimand and ordered to attend Ethics School, effective immediately following an August 10 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2014) During a judicial election campaign, Earley engaged in campaign misconduct, which included soliciting donations by handing out postcards and giving speeches that directed voters to her website that contained a “Donate Now” button. (Case No. SC23-1070)

David George Simmons, Jr., 10380 SW Village Center Dr., Port Saint Lucie, public reprimand and ordered to complete Ethics School, effective immediately following a September 21 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2011) Simmons entered a notice of appearance to substitute in for a suspended lawyer believing that the suspension was short-term, when, in fact, it required proof of rehabilitation prior to reinstatement. Because Simmons assumed he would not be representing the client long-term, he failed to obtain specific details regarding the client’s case and had only a basic understanding of the issues. Simmons failed to appear for several hearings after being duly noticed by the court. The court ultimately sanctioned Simmons and ordered him to pay attorney’s fees to the opposing counsel. (Case No. SC23-1260)

Thomas J. Wenzel, 133 NW 100th Ave., Plantation, public reprimand, to be administered by service of the court’s order approving the proposed consent judgment, ordered to attend The Florida Bar’s Professionalism Workshop, submit to a Diversion/Discipline Consultation Service (DOCS) review, and directed to comply with all other terms and conditions set forth in the consent judgment. Effective immediately following an October 26 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2013) In four separate cases, Wenzel did not comply with court orders to mediate within 105 days. The presiding judge issued show cause orders, and, in one case, Wenzel did not appear for mediation, which led to a referral to the 17th Judicial Circuit’s Professionalism Panel. (Case No. SC23-1434)