TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) — Boca Raton attorney Gary W. Kovacs has been voluntarily disbarred following a Feb. 22 Florida Supreme Court order over pending allegations that he stole from a law firm, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
"Disciplinary matters pending against Kovacs included allegations of theft of firm funds from a former employer," the state bar said in its March 27 announcement of the discipline and the Supreme Court's order.
The state Supreme Court granted Kovacs’ petition for a disciplinary revocation with leave to seek readmission after five years, according to the order. Kovacs' disbarment was effective immediately, according to the order.
The state Supreme Court's order of disciplinary revocation, tantamount to disbarment, is not final until time to file a rehearing motion expires. Attorneys disbarred in the state may not reapply for admission for five years and then they must pass an extensive process that includes a rigorous background check and retaking the bar exam.
Filing a motion for rehearing would not alter the effective date of the Kovacs' disbarment.
Kovacs was admitted to the bar in Florida on April. 26, 1993, according to his profile at the state bar website. Kovacs has no prior history of discipline before the state bar, according to his state bar profile and the petition for disciplinary revocation.
Allegations against Kovacs stem from his failure to file a lawsuit, which resulted in the client receiving a settlement from Kovacs' former employer's malpractice carrier, according to the petition for disciplinary revocation. Kovacs allegedly diverted more than $184,000 in client fees intended for Kovac's former employer, Frank, Weinberg & Black, according to the petition.
"Allegations concern [Kovacs]' former partner's mishandling of the complainant's legal matter," the petition said. "The complainant alleges that [Kovacs] is also responsible."
No known criminal proceedings are pending against Kovacs, but a Boca Raton Police Department criminal investigation is pending, according to the petition. .