In a gripping legal battle, a Florida resident has filed a lawsuit against her former attorney and his law firm, alleging professional negligence and malpractice. Louise V. Goetz initiated the complaint on January 8, 2025, in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, targeting Steven J. Glaros and his firm, Steven J. Glaros PA.
The case unfolds with Goetz accusing Glaros and his firm of failing to provide competent legal services after she retained them on January 19, 2023. The relationship between Goetz and the defendants began through a business referral network called BNI, where Lisa Wright, introduced as a licensed paralegal but later revealed not to be one, played a pivotal role. Wright allegedly misrepresented her qualifications and provided unauthorized legal advice under the guise of being part of Glaros's team.
Goetz claims that Wright drafted legal documents and made recommendations that significantly impacted her business operations at Bogota Kitchen + Bar. The plaintiff recounts how these actions led to severe repercussions, including sexual harassment allegations involving Wright's son Matthew, who worked at Goetz's restaurant. "Wright put her own needs ahead of mine," Goetz asserts in her complaint.
The situation escalated when Wright allegedly altered an affidavit from a minor employee to favor her son amidst sexual harassment claims. This document was sent from official law firm email accounts, misleading Goetz into believing it was sanctioned by licensed attorneys. Consequently, Goetz faced lawsuits from terminated employees and an EEOC complaint directly linked to the dubious legal advice she received.
Seeking justice for what she describes as "irreparable harm," Goetz demands compensation exceeding $50,000 for damages incurred due to the alleged negligence of Glaros and his firm. She details how this ordeal has tarnished her reputation and caused significant financial losses. Additionally, Goetz had to seek mental health counseling due to stress induced by these events.
Representing herself pro se in this case, Louise V. Goetz is determined to hold Steven J. Glaros accountable for what she perceives as gross misconduct by both him and his staff during their professional engagement. The court will now deliberate on whether Glaros breached his fiduciary duty towards Goetz by allowing unlicensed practice within his firm without proper oversight.
As this case proceeds through the judicial system under Case No.: 52 S-00075G before Judge Ken Burke in Pinellas County’s Civil Division Courtroom – all eyes are on whether justice will prevail for Louise V.Goetz against formidable opposition from seasoned legal professionals like those at Law Offices Of Steven J.Glaro P.A., whose defense strategy remains undisclosed thus far.