Karen Kidd News
Appeals court decision shields managed care company's 'trade secrets' in Florida CHIP dental dispute
A company that manages Medicaid dental benefits for the Children's Health Insurance Program in Florida and in other states won't have to make its "trade secrets" public, as ordered by a Leon County judge, according to a recent appeals court ruling.
McAfee says he won’t pay $25 million judgment ordered over 2012 death of Belize man
John McAfee of anti-virus software fame has been found liable and ordered by a federal judge to pay $25 million in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the estate of a Belize man. But McAfee has said he won't pay.
Tort reform group prefers Supreme Court-endorsed county court jurisdictional increase plan over House proposal
A Tallahassee-based tort reform advocacy group prefers a Florida Supreme Court-endorsed proposal to increase county court civil litigation thresholds over a state House bill that would raise them to $50,000 over two years. But the Florida Justice Reform Institute isn't so sure a threshold increase is needed.
Coral Gables attorney publicly reprimanded for allegedly failing to fully disclose interest conflict
TALLAHASSEE — Longtime Coral Gables attorney Peter James Yanowitch has been publicly reprimanded following a March 14 Florida Supreme Court order over an alleged potential conflict of interest, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
New Port Richey attorney on emergency suspension for allegedly misappropriating more than $82,000
TALLAHASSEE — New Port Richey attorney Hugh Charles Umsted has been placed on emergency suspension following a March 21 Florida Supreme Court order over misappropriation allegations, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Philadelphia lawyer reciprocally disbarred after allegedly misappropriating funds for gambling debts
TALLAHASSEE — Philadelphia attorney Frank Nathan Tobolsky has been reciprocally disbarred in Florida following a Feb. 28 Florida Supreme Court order after he allegedly misappropriated money to feed his gambling addiction, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Davie attorney voluntarily disbarred after admitting to improper disbursal of third party funds
TALLAHASSEE — Davie attorney Cory Scott Robins has been voluntarily disbarred following a Feb. 14 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations involving his client trust account, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Oldsmar attorney faces second suspension
TALLAHASSEE — Oldsmar attorney Allison Catherine Ridenhour faces 30 days of suspension following a March 7 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations in three client matters, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Orlando attorney placed on emergency suspension after allegedly abandoning practice
TALLAHASSEE — Orlando attorney Albert W. Pucylowski is on emergency suspension following a Feb. 13 Florida Supreme Court order after he apparently walked away from his practice, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Silver Springs attorney faces voluntary disbarment over allegations in 2 client matters
TALLAHASSEE — Longtime Silver Springs attorney Albert John Vidal faces voluntary disbarment following a March 7 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations in two separate client matters, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Imprisoned Hillsboro Beach attorney disbarred following 'pump-and-dump' conviction
TALLAHASSEE — Longtime Hillsboro Beach attorney James M. Schneider, sentenced in February for his alleged role in a "pump-and-dump" securities fraud scheme, has been disbarred following a March 7 Florida Supreme Court order, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Atlantic Beach attorney indefinitely suspended after alleged failure to respond to official inquiries
TALLAHASSEE — Atlantic Beach attorney Brett Allen Mearkle, suspended in December, has been suspended again following a March 19 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations he didn't cooperate in a state bar inquiry, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Fort Myers lawyer faces additional suspension for allegedly failing to comply with discipline
TALLAHASSEE — Fort Myers attorney Esmond Jude Lewis faces suspension for the second time four months following a March 27 Florida Supreme Court order after being held in contempt, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Miami attorney voluntarily disbarred following 'uncivil and unprofessional' behavior
TALLAHASSEE — Longtime Miami attorney Marvin Kurzban has been permanently and voluntarily disbarred following a Feb. 13 Florida Supreme Court order after being "discourteous and unprofessional" during two trials of a civil matter, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Suspended Fort Lauderdale lawyer claims constitutional protections for her online attacks
TALLAHASSEE — Fort Lauderdale attorney Ashley Ann Krapacs, on emergency suspension following a Florida Supreme Court order in February over allegations she harassed opposing counsel and a judge on social media, alleges her actions enjoy constitutional protections.
Longtime Coral Springs lawyer faces suspension for allegedly failing to keep foreclosure client informed
TALLAHASSEE — Longtime Coral Springs attorney Mark Howard Klein faces a 30-day suspension following a March 14 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations he failed to keep a client informed during a foreclosure case, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Boca Raton attorney disbarred following wire fraud guilty plea
TALLAHASSEE — Longtime Boca Raton attorney Jeffrey Greenfield Klein has been voluntarily disbarred following a March 14 Florida Supreme Court order after his guilty plea last year to wire fraud, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Imprisoned St. Augustine attorney disbarred; accused of stealing more than $100,000 in client funds
St. Augustine attorney Christopher William Adamec has been disbarred following a March 14 Florida Supreme Court order and his sentencing earlier this year for allegedly stealing client funds, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Insurance advocate: 2019 might be year for AOB reform in Florida to address insurance premium rise
The head of a Florida insurance trade organization is cautiously optimistic that 2019 might be the year state lawmakers reform of “assignment of benefits," abuse of which critics have blamed for a dramatic increase in property insurance rates in the Sunshine State in recent years.
Florida Supreme Court takes up mass shootings liability case; Parkland parents expected to weigh in
The Florida Supreme Court has called for initial arguments in a case that could have a far- reaching liability impact on survivors of mass shootings, including those who survived last year's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre.