The Bar: disciplined-suspended-disbarred

A Jacksonville attorney who has been licensed for over ten years has been suspended for 91 days following a February 8th court order; joining a list of 26 attorneys being disbarred or suspended as reported to Historic City News today.

John David Todd (Case No. Sc10-2167) is currently suspended; therefore his suspension is effective immediately.

The Florida Bar, the state’s guardian for the integrity of the legal profession, announced to Historic City News that the Florida Supreme Court has disciplined a total of 26 attorneys during the first three months of this year; disbarring four and suspending 20.

Todd failed to comply with the terms of the 90-day suspension he received in February 2010.

He was required to complete a trust accounting workshop and earn five Continuing Legal Education credits in probate law within a year of the court order. He was also required to notify his clients, opposing counsel and the courts of his status and provide a sworn affidavit to the Bar listing the names and addresses of all persons and entities that received a copy of his suspension order.

Todd also failed to respond to the Bar’s inquiries regarding the matter.

Some attorneys received more than one form of discipline. One attorney was placed on probation; two attorneys were publicly reprimanded. Two attorneys were ordered to pay restitution.

As an official arm of the Florida Supreme Court, The Florida Bar and its Department of Lawyer Regulation are charged with administering a statewide disciplinary system to enforce Supreme Court rules of professional conduct for the 90,000-plus lawyers admitted to practice law in Florida. Since Aug. 1, 2007, case files have been posted to attorneys’ individual Florida Bar profiles and may be reviewed at The Florida Bar’s website, www.floridabar.org.

Court orders are not final until time expires to file a rehearing motion and, if filed, determined. The filing of such a motion does not alter the effective date of the discipline. Disbarred lawyers may not re-apply for admission for five years. They are required to go through an extensive process that rejects many who re-apply. It includes a rigorous background check and retaking the bar exam.

Historically, fewer than 5 percent of disbarred lawyers seek readmission.