TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) — Longtime West Palm Beach attorney William Abramson has been voluntarily disbarred following a June 20 Florida Supreme Court order over allegedly being disrespectful to traffic magistrates and other allegations, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Abramson had three disciplinary cases pending before a referee, alleging he was "disrespectful and confrontational" toward two separate traffic magistrates, according to a state bar July 26 announcement of the discipline and the Supreme Court's order. Abramson also allegedly failed to comply with discovery requests, leading to sanctions against him in a personal civil matter.
Abramson also allegedly failed to appear before a grievance committee and produce documents, according to the state bar's announcement.
"Abramson also had two other matters pending before a grievance committee alleging that after accepting a fee to represent two criminal defendants, he failed to properly communicate and diligently represent them," the announcement said.
In its two-page order, state Supreme Court approved Abramson's uncontested petition for disciplinary revocation, tantamount to disbarment, with leave to seek readmission after five years. Abramson had already agreed to cease practicing law, so his disbarment was effective immediately.
Abramson also was ordered to pay a little more than $2,028 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 Abramson'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.
Abramson was admitted to the bar in Florida on Nov. 23, 1992, according to his profile at the state bar website.
In previous disciplines, Abramson was publicly reprimanded in April 2001 for neglecting a client matter and in August 2002 for neglect "and disobeying certain court orders," his petition for disciplinary revocation said. In December 2008, Abramson was suspended for 91 days "for disrespectful and confrontational behavior before a judge" and for six months in January 2009 "for failing to timely reveal possible juror misconduct and making reckless comments regarding the integrity of a judge," the petition said.