TALLAHASSEE — Heather Aquafresca, a Florida-licensed attorney residing in Webster, Massachusetts, was suspended from the practice of law because the attorney allegedly failed to comply with a previous suspension order.
The order was issued by the Florida Supreme Court.
Aquafresca was hired in November 2013 to represent a man in a criminal case. Upon receipt of the client’s $4,225 payment, the attorney allegedly failed to perform any legal services. Several attempts were made by the client’s mother, daughter and the court to contact the attorney and receive updates on the case. The attorney allegedly did not respond. As a result, she was later removed from the case by the judge May 22, 2014, court records state.
In a second matter, the attorney committed similar misconduct. After accepting a $1,500 fee in March 2014, she did not perform legal services and failed to communicate with her client. However, she did communicate with the client on one occasion in February 2015 when she demanded more funds and informed the client that she would withdraw from the case if she did not receive them, according to court documents. The client asked her to withdraw from the case but Aquafresca allegedly did not.
For her misconduct, the attorney was suspended and ordered to inform clients and opposing counsel of her status. Additionally, she was required to submit a sworn affidavit to the Florida Bar stating she had complied with this term within 30 days of the order. She failed to do so, and the Bar determined further discipline was warranted. Aquafresca has been suspended from practice for one year, effective March 8.
Aquafresca was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2008 following her graduation from the Florida Coastal University School of Law. She has one record of discipline in Florida prior to the October 2016 order, the suspension from October 2015 for failing to respond to a Florida Bar inquiry.