TALLAHASSEE — The Supreme Court of Florida recently ruled to suspend Boca Raton attorney Alexandra Rodriguez from the practice of law.
The order was given after an investigation into the attorney’s conduct revealed that she had on several occasions misinformed her client on the status of a case and effectively withdrew herself as counsel when the client confronted her about the situation.
Rodriguez was hired in early 2014 to represent a woman in a divorce proceeding, according to court documents. The attorney informed her client in March 2014 that her petition had been filed and her husband has been served, although Rodriguez later discovered this was untrue. The attorney remedied the situation but did not update her client. She later told the client that another motion, this one for the possession of the home, was filed when it was not. In December 2014, the client confronted Rodriguez about the misinformation after discovering the discrepancies herself. The attorney then withdrew from the case without settling either matter.
The State Bar took into account several mitigating factors when determining sentencing including a show of good faith by fully cooperating with the investigation. After reviewing all of the facts in the matter, the Supreme Court of Florida ordered that Rodriguez would be suspended for a period of 91 days. She will be unable to continue any ongoing cases and will be unable to accept any new business during the suspension. Additionally, she will be responsible for covering all court costs associated with the State Bar’s investigation. Failure to adhere to any of the terms set forth in her suspension will result in further discipline.
Rodriguez has been a member of the Florida Bar since she was admitted on Sept. 20, 2007. She is a graduate of the Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad School of Law and had no prior record of discipline.