TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) — St. Johns attorney Erin Rebecca Waskiewicz has been voluntarily disbarred following an Oct. 24 Florida Supreme Court order, her DUI arrest and failed attempt at a disciplinary diversion, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
"Waskiewicz was arrested for driving under the influence with property damage," the state bar said in its Nov. 26 announcement of the discipline and the Supreme Court's order. "She pleaded no contest to the reduced charge of reckless driving and the trial court withheld adjudication and sentenced her to six months of supervised probation with special conditions."
The state bar's disciplinary proceeding against Waskiewicz "was diverted to Florida Lawyers Assistance Inc., and she participated with FLA for one year until she violated the terms of the contract," the announcement said.
In its two-page order, the state Supreme Court approved Waskiewicz's uncontested petition for disciplinary revocation, tantamount to disbarment, with leave to seek readmission after five years. Granting the petition served to dismiss all pending disciplinary charges against Waskiewicz.
Waskiewicz's disbarment was effective 30 days from the date of the court's order to allow her time to close her practice and protect her existing clients' interests, according to the high court's order. The court also ordered Waskiewicz to pay $1,250 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 Waskiewicz'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.
Waskiewicz was admitted to the bar in Florida on Dec. 15, 2003, according to her profile at the state bar website. No prior discipline before the state bar is listed on her bar profile.