Samuel Lanier local attorney suspended by Florida Bar

The Department of Lawyer Regulation of The Florida Bar informed local Historic City News reporters that the Florida Supreme Court has recently disciplined 26 attorneys – disbarring four, revoking the licenses of four, publicly reprimanding six and suspending 12 that includes one from St Augustine. Four attorneys received more than one form of discipline; three were placed on probation and one was ordered to pay restitution.

Attorney Samuel Harker Lanier, admitted to practice in 1980, was suspended until further notice, effective 30 days from an August 1st court order. (Case No. SC16-1352)

Lanier, whose address was reported as 3791 A1A South, Suite B, in St. Augustine, pled no contest to several charges including possession of cocaine, a felony, driving while license canceled, suspended or revoked, a misdemeanor, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.

Lanier was sentenced to drug offender probation for 24 months for the felony charge and 12 months of probation for the possession of drug paraphernalia charge to be supervised by the Department of Corrections.

He failed to notify the Bar, as required, of his felony charge and judgment of guilt.

Key discipline case files that are public record are posted to attorneys’ individual online Florida Bar profiles. To view discipline documents, visit www.floridabar.org/attorneydiscipline.

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 apply. It includes a rigorous background check and retaking the bar exam. Historically, less than 5 percent of disbarred lawyers seek readmission.