The Florida Bar announced on Mar. 31 that the Florida Supreme Court has disciplined eight attorneys, including one license revocation, six suspensions, and one public reprimand. The disciplinary actions were issued in court orders between Feb. 26 and Mar. 27.
The announcement highlights the ongoing efforts of The Florida Bar and the Florida Supreme Court to maintain integrity within the legal profession for its more than 115,000 members. The statewide disciplinary system is designed to enforce rules of professional conduct among attorneys.
Among those disciplined was Shirley Linette Bates of Tallahassee, who received a one-year suspension for failing to communicate with clients, moving cases forward untimely, inadequately supervising a nonlawyer assistant, and engaging in dishonest conduct. Michael B. Halla of Lancaster, Texas was suspended for two years after being convicted of two counts of criminally negligent homicide related to a fatal traffic incident.
Other actions included Ariel Elise Mitchell of Miami receiving a 75-day suspension along with requirements to attend Ethics School and Professionalism Workshop after making incorrect statements regarding an investigation into her conduct; Brian Robert Pingor of Clearwater received a 91-day suspension for not reporting felony and misdemeanor charges as required by bar rules; Max Richard Price Jr., also from Miami, was publicly reprimanded following improper handling of co-counsel’s legal fee; Karmika Victoria Rubin from St. Petersburg was suspended for 30 days due to client neglect and trust accounting issues; Halford George Schuhmacher from Marathon received a ten-day suspension for missing multiple court hearings; and Michael Stephen Stanfield from Jacksonville had his license revoked with leave to reapply due to multiple pending disciplinary cases involving client neglect and reckless driving.
According to The Florida Bar’s announcement, court orders are not final until any rehearing motions are resolved but such filings do not change the effective date of discipline. Disbarred lawyers may only seek readmission after five years through an extensive process that includes background checks and retaking the bar exam. Suspended attorneys must prove rehabilitation before returning if their suspension exceeds ninety-one days.
