TALLAHASSEE — Coral Springs attorney David Peter Ginzberg has been voluntarily disbarred following an April 19 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations that included misappropriation, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
In its two-page disciplinary revocation, the high court granted Ginzberg's uncontested petition for disciplinary revocation. Ginzberg disbarment was effective 30 days from the date of the court order. The court also ordered Ginzberg to pay $1,250 in costs.
"Disciplinary matters pending against Ginzberg included misappropriation of client funds and failure to render services after being retained," the state bar said in its May 29 announcement of the discipline and the Supreme Court's order.
The state Supreme Court issued the disciplinary revocation, tantamount to disbarment, with leave to seek readmission after five years.
In Florida, court orders are not final until after the time to file a rehearing motion expires. Filing such a motion would not alter the effective date of Ginzberg's disbarment.
Attorneys disbarred in the state may not re-apply for admission for five years, and even then they must pass through an extensive process that includes a rigorous background check and retaking the bar exam.
Ginzberg was admitted to the Florida Bar on Nov. 2, 1984, according to his profile at the state bar website. No prior discipline before the state is listed on Ginzberg's bar profile.
In his petition for disciplinary revocation, Ginzberg said he "has suffered from various mental and physical health problems and has attended Florida Lawyers Advocates" and that he is "indigent." The petition also briefly lists four disciplinary matters "pending at staff level" against him, including one in which he allegedly "received a settlement check and misappropriated the client's funds."
"(Ginzberg) acknowledges the foregoing pending proceedings but denies any wrongdoing and makes no factual admissions regarding any of the issues raised in these proceedings," the petition said. "However, he does acknowledge that the allegations, if proven, would form the predicate for disciplinary action by this court."