TALLAHASSEE — Suspended Miami attorney Cyrus A. Bischoff has been voluntarily disbarred following a March 7 Florida Supreme Court order and allegations that he practiced law while suspended, according to a recent announcement by the Florida Bar.
"While suspended from the practice of law by the Florida Supreme Court, Bischoff acted as escrow agent and negotiated funds through his trust account," the state bar said in its March 29 announcement of the discipline and the Supreme Court's order. "Bischoff tendered a petition for disciplinary revocation, which was granted by the court."
The state Supreme Court issued its two-page order of disciplinary revocation, tantamount to disbarment, with leave to seek readmission after five years. Bischoff already was suspended, which meant his disbarment was effective immediately.
The court also ordered Bischoff to pay a little more than $3,007 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 Bischoff'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.
Bischoff was admitted to the bar in Florida on Sept. 13, 2001, according to his profile at the state bar website.
Bischoff was suspended in a state Supreme Court opinion issued in March 2017 and in an order issued in August 2017 after the attorney allegedly filed a lawsuit for a female client against multiple defendants while he was suspended. The case ultimately went to trial in U.S. District Court for Florida's Southern District.
In his petition for disciplinary revocation, Bischoff admitted he "engaged in a pattern of misconduct, including raising frivolous claims, refusing to comply with orders of the court and/or with the local rules, and making misrepresentations to the court."
The state bar began its most recent investigation in July 2018 into a civil complaint filed in Broward County Circuit Court that alleged Bischoff acted as escrow agent in an investment agreement for a former client. Those allegations were still pending when Bischoff filed his petition, agreeing to voluntarily disbarment.