TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) — Doral attorney Juan Fernando Alban Naranjo faces voluntarily disbarment following an April 18 Florida Supreme Court order in advance of disciplinary proceedings against him, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
"Following the initiation of contempt proceedings in federal court caused by his failure to appear at court hearings, as well as an unrelated allegation of lack of communication and diligence in a client matter, the court granted Naranjo’s petition for disciplinary revocation, the state bar said in its April 30 announcement of the discipline and the Supreme Court's order.
Naranjo's disciplinary revocation, tantamount to disbarment, will be effective 30 days from the date of the court's order to allow him time to close his practice and protect his existing clients' interests, according to the state bar's announcement.
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 Naranjo'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.
Naranjo was admitted to the bar in Florida on April 15, 1997, according to his profile at the state bar website. No prior discipline before the state bar is listed on Naranjo's state bar profile but he has not been eligible to practice in Florida due to failing to pursue continuing legal education requirements and fee delinquencies.
Pending charges against Narango include failure to appear at properly noticed court hearings, according to his petition for disciplinary revocation with leave to apply for reinstatement after five years. His non-appearance resulted in criminal contempt proceedings before a judge from the U.S. District Court Florida Southern District
Narango also faced allegations of client neglect, lack of communication and lack of diligence, according to his petition.
Narango also agreed to pay $1,250 in administrative costs and to submit to a state bar audit.