Karen Kidd News
North Miami Beach attorney suspended following 2 client grievances
North Miami Beach attorney Mordechai L. Breier has been suspended for 30 days following a Jan. 11 Florida Supreme Court amended order after grievances were filed with the The Florida Bar by two former clients.
Broward Circuit Court has personal jurisdiction in dental breach of contract case, appeals court rules
A Florida circuit court has jurisdiction in a breach-of-contract case involving a dentist and his two Texas practices because they had business arrangements in the Sunshine State but their contacts provided for venue in another state, a state appeals court recently ruled.
Appeals court hands down ruling in age discrimination case against Broward sheriff
A state appeals court kept an age discrimination case against Broward County Sheriff Scott J. Israel alive on the same day as the Parkland school shooting, which his department responded to.
Federal judge denies IRS request for injunction against Sarasota orthopedics center
A federal judge in Tampa has declined an IRS request that his court order a Sarasota orthopedics center to obey U.S. tax laws.
Legal advocacy group opposes legislation to repeal Florida nonjoinder of insurer provisions
Legislation introduced in the Florida Legislature last month that would repeal nonjoinder of insurer provisions in state law is opposed by a legal advocacy group.
St. Petersburg lawyer disbarred following allegations in four client matters
St. Petersburg attorney Stephen Proctor Tourtelot has been disbarred following a Dec. 21 Florida Supreme Court order following allegations he improperly handled four client cases, according to an announcement from The Florida Bar.
Measure could politicize Florida administrative law judge selection process, ALJ Association president says
Florida House lawmakers are making a second attempt to give Gov. Rick Scott the power to appoint administrative law judges, something that would threaten the independence of that judicial group, the Association of Administrative Law Judges president said during a recent interview.
Fort Pierce attorney, city commissioner suspended from law practice over handling of parental rights case
TALLAHASSEE — Fort Pierce attorney and City Commissioner Reginald "Reggie" Bernard Sessions faces a 20-day suspension following a Jan. 9 Florida Supreme Court order over issues he encountered representing a client in a parental rights case, according to an announcement from The Florida Bar.
Lady Lake attorney suspended after multiple arrests, admitted illegal drug use
Lady Lake attorney William Jason Scheil has been suspended for one year following a Dec. 28 Florida Supreme Court order admitting in sworn statements to using illegal drugs, including heroin, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Fort Lauderdale attorney suspended following guilty plea in patient brokering case
TALLAHASSEE —Fort Lauderdale attorney Vincent Joseph Pravato has been suspended until further notice following a Dec. 19 Florida Supreme Court order after his guilty plea to multiple felonies, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Jacksonville attorney publicly reprimanded following guilty plea after traffic stop and arrest
TALLAHASSEE — Jacksonville attorney Dana Rachel Price has been publicly reprimanded following a Dec. 14 Florida Supreme Court order after pleading guilty to driving with a suspended license, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
64-year-old's layoff financially motivated, doesn't violate federal law, 11th Circuit rules
The layoff of a 64-year-old Jacksonville maritime employee whose job was then held by a much younger co-worker in 2014 didn't violate federal law and was motivated by financial factors, an appeals court recently ruled.
New Port Richey attorney disbarred following suspensions for theft, drug charges
New Port Richey attorney Joshua Johnson Stewart has been disbarred following a Dec. 21 Florida Supreme Court order after the high court found him in contempt for failing to comply with previous court orders, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Port Orange attorney voluntarily disbarred following alleged client trust account irregularities
TALLAHASSEE—Port Orange attorney Timothy Allen Traster has been voluntarily disbarred following a Jan. 4 Florida Supreme Court order pending disciplinary matters that he misappropriated $5,000 in client funds and failed to properly maintain his trust account, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Cocoa attorney suspended for appearing in court drunk and failure to pay taxes
TALLAHASSEE – Cocoa attorney Timothy Francis Pickles has been suspended for 91 days following a Dec. 28 Florida Supreme Court order over his mishandling of a homeowners association's case because he was impaired by alcohol, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Sarasota attorney voluntarily disbarred following allegations of misappropriating more than $215,000
TALLAHASSEE — Sarasota attorney Jordan Lloyd Wallach has been voluntarily disbarred following a Jan. 4 Florida Supreme Court order in light of allegations that he misappropriated more than $215,000 in client funds, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Tampa attorney suspended following traffic-related arrest, alleged professional misconduct
Tampa attorney Mayowa F. Odusanya has been suspended for six months following a Dec. 14 Florida Supreme Court order over numerous professional misconduct allegations, including those arising from his traffic-related arrest last year, according to a recent announcement by the Florida Bar.
Melbourne attorney suspended following 2 life sentences for forcing sex on 12-year-old
Melbourne attorney Joseph Pallante III has been suspended until further notice following a Dec. 14 Florida Supreme Court order after he received two life sentences plus 90 years for repeated forced sex acts on a 12-year-old girl, according to a recent announcement by the Florida Bar.
Margate attorney voluntarily disbarred over alleged misuse of funds, neglecting client
Margate attorney Elaine S. Laura has been has been voluntarily disbarred following a Jan. 4 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations she misused client funds and neglected a client’s case, according to a recent announcement by the Florida Bar.
Yulee attorney suspended following alleged unauthorized charges to client's credit card
Yulee attorney Laura Healan Coggin has been suspended for 18 months following a Jan. 2 Florida Supreme Court amended order over allegations she made unauthorized charges to a client's credit card, according to a recent announcement by the Florida Bar.