TALLAHASSEE — Suspended Brandon attorney Richard Luther Bradford has been disbarred following a Dec. 30 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations he failed to comply with requirements in his most recent suspension, according to an announcement by The Florida Bar.
"Bradford was held in contempt of the court's April 11, 2019 order for failing to notify clients, opposing counsel and tribunals of his suspension," the state bar said in its Feb. 27 announcement of the discipline and the Supreme Court's order.
In its two-page order, the state Supreme Court approved the state bar's petition for contempt and order to show cause before holding Bradford in contempt and disbarring the attorney.
Bradford was already suspended, which meant his disbarment was effective immediately. The court also ordered Bradford 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 Bradford'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.
Bradford was admitted to the bar in Florida on Nov. 22, 1995, according to information previously retrieved from his profile at the state bar's website.
Bradford was suspended for the fourth time in two years following a Florida Supreme Court order issued in April 11. That most recent suspension was handed down after Bradford allegedly failed to notify others about his previous suspensions.
The following month, the state bar attempted to notify Bradford that he was in noncompliance with respondent conditions of his suspension, according to the state bar's 23-page petition for contempt.
The state bar tried to mail and email the notification but found Bradford's email of record "was undeliverable because the mailbox was full," the petition said.
Bradford had not submitted the required affidavit containing a list of whom he'd given notice of his suspension.
"Consequently, The Florida Bar is unaware whether respondent notified any clients, opposing counsel and tribunals of his suspension," the petition said.