TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) — Davie attorney Bradley Scott Douglas has been voluntarily disbarred following a June 7 Florida Supreme Court order regarding allegations that included misappropriation, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
"Disciplinary matters pending against Douglas involve misappropriation of client funds and failure to adequately communicate with clients," the state bar said in its July 31 announcement of the discipline and the state Supreme Court's order.
In its two-page order, the high court granted Douglas' uncontested petition for disciplinary revocation with leave to apply for readmission. Disciplinary revocation is tantamount to disbarment. Douglas' disbarment was effective 30 days from the date of the court's order to allow him time to close out his practice and protect his existing clients' interests, according to the high court's order. The court also ordered Douglas to pay almost $7,400 in costs.
Florida court orders are not final until time to file a rehearing motion expires. Filing such a motion would not alter the effective date of Douglas' disbarment.
Attorneys disbarred in the state generally may not reapply for admission for five years and then must pass through an extensive process that includes a rigorous background check and retaking the bar exam.
Douglas was admitted to the bar in Florida on April 26, 2004, according to his profile at the state bar website. Douglas had no prior record of discipline before the state bar, according to his profile and his petition.
In his petition, Douglas admitted to failing to remit more than $218,000 in worker's compensation settlements in six of his clients' workers' compensation cases and a $110,000 settlement in another client's personal injury case. A complaint also was filed against Douglas by a workers' compensation claims judge who received letters from two of Douglas' clients, "alleging a lack of communication and possible misappropriation of funds," the petition said.
Douglas faces "no known criminal proceedings", according to his petition.
Douglas agreed to reimburse the state bar's Client Security Fund payouts resulting from his alleged misconduct.