TALLAHASSEE — Orlando attorney Jonathan Robert Simon has been voluntarily disbarred following a Dec. 13 Florida Supreme Court order after a disciplinary charge had been filed against him, according to a recent announcement by the Florida Bar.
"A disciplinary charge pending against Simon involved trust account violations," the state bar said in its Jan. 31 announcement of the discipline and the Supreme Court's order.
The state Supreme Court issued its two-page order approving Simon's uncontested petition for disciplinary revocation, tantamount to disbarment, with leave to seek readmission after five years. Simon's 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 court's order.
The court also ordered Simon to pay almost $5,181 in costs.
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 Simon'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.
Simon was admitted to the bar in Florida on April 18, 2008, according to his profile at the state bar website. No prior discipline before the state bar is listed on Simon's state bar profile.
In his petition for disciplinary revocation, Simon refers to the state bar's investigation that began after he self-reported "irregularities" in his trust account. Simon admitted he failed to maintain minimum trust account records or to follow minimum trust account procedures trust records, as required by the state bar, and that he used client trust funds "for purposes other than for the specific purpose they were intended," the petition said.
Simon deposited funds into the account to replenish the shortages but didn't notify the state bar about what caused the shortages or the amount he had covered, according to the petition.