TALLAHASSEE— Orlando attorney Stacey Dawn Wilson faces voluntary disbarment following a March 12 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations that she mishandled her client trust account, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
"The Florida Bar conducted a compliance audit of Wilson’s trust account for the period of June 1, 2017, through Sept. 30, 2019," the state bar said in its March 19 announcement of the discipline and the Supreme Court's order. "The records demonstrated that Wilson was not in substantial compliance with the rules regulating The Florida Bar, which resulted in shortages in her trust account."
In its two-page order, the state Supreme Court approved Wilson'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 Wilson.
Wilson's disbarment will be effective 30 days from the date of the court's order to allow her time to close out her practice and protect her existing clients' interests, according to the high court's order.
The court also ordered Wilson to pay almost $4,754 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 Wilson's suspension.
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.
Wilson was admitted to the bar in Florida on Sept. 21, 2007, according to her profile at the state bar website. Wilson had no prior history of discipline, according to her petition.
In addition to costs, Wilson also agreed to reimburse the state bar's client security fund should any be paid out in claims as a result of her alleged misconduct.
"Petitioner contends that granting this petition will not adversely affect the public interest, the integrity of the courts, or the confidence of the public in the legal profession," Wilson said in her petition. "Further, petitioner contends that granting this petition will not hinder the administration of justice."