TALLAHASSEE — Suspended Orlando attorney Christine G. Bauer has been disbarred following a Nov. 29 Florida Supreme Court order over alleged irregularities in her client trust account and abandoning her practice, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
"Bauer had a significant shortage in her trust account and abandoned her law practice," the state bar said in its Jan. 31 announcement of the discipline and the Supreme Court's order. "She also made misrepresentations to The Florida Bar during its investigation, failed to respond to the Bar’s subpoena and failed to appear for the final disciplinary hearing."
In its two-page order, the high court approved the uncontested referee's report filed in the matter before disbarring Bauer. The court also ordered Bauer to pay more than $23,000 in restitution to one client and almost $4,170 in costs.
Bauer had been suspended earlier in the year, which meant her disbarment was effective immediately, according to the state Supreme Court's order.
Florida court orders are not final until time to file a rehearing motion expires. Filing such a motion does not alter the effective date of Bauer's disbarment.
Attorneys disbarred in Florida generally cannot reapply for admission for five years and must pass an extensive process that includes a rigorous background check and retaking the bar exam.
Bauer was admitted to the bar in Florida on May 8, 2006, according to her profile at the state bar website. No prior discipline before the state bar is listed on Bauer's state bar profile prior to her suspension.
Bauer was suspended in May after a state audit of her practice found irregularities in her client trust account and she was found in contempt for noncompliance and failure to comply with a grievance committee subpoena. In its 28-page petition for emergency suspension filed with the court, the state bar alleged that Bauer "is causing great public harm."