TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) — Suspended Orlando attorney Albert W. Pucylowski has been disbarred following an Aug. 1 Florida Supreme Court order for allegedly abandoning his practice, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
"Pucylowski abandoned his law practice without protecting his clients' interests," the state bar said in its Aug. 29 announcement of the discipline and the Supreme Court's order. "In three separate matters, his failure to appear in court caused arrest warrants to be issued for his clients."
Pucylowski's disbarment was effective immediately, according to the state bar's announcement.
Pucylowski "completely failed to participate" in a disciplinary hearing in April, according to the referee's report filed in the proceedings the following month.
The referee recommended Pucylowski be immediately disbarred and that he be ordered to pay 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 Pucylowski'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.
Pucylowski was admitted to the bar in Florida on Sept. 15, 1998, according to his profile at the state bar website.
Pucylowski was placed on emergency suspension following a February Florida Supreme Court order after he apparently walked away from his practice.
The state bar began receiving phone calls and sworn written complaints in November from Pucylowski's clients, according to the state bar's petition for emergency suspension. The clients alleged that Pucylowski "failed to maintain adequate client communication, neglected cases, failed to earn his fees and failed to return original documentation provided by clients," the petition said.
A state bar investigation found Pucylowski closed his office and "abandoned his apartment and everything in it" more than a month prior, the petition said.