Summaries of orders issued from April 1, 2025, to April 29, 2025
The Florida Bar, the state’s guardian for the integrity of the legal profession, announces that the Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders disciplined nine attorneys, disbarring one, revoking the license of three, suspending three, and reprimanding two.
The Florida Supreme Court, The Florida Bar, and its Division of Lawyer Regulation are charged with administering a statewide disciplinary system to enforce Supreme Court rules of professional conduct for the more than 113,000 members of The Florida Bar. Key discipline case files that are public record are posted to attorneys’ individual online Florida Bar profiles. To view discipline documents, follow these steps. Information on the discipline system and how to file a complaint are available at www.floridabar.org/attorneydiscipline.
Court orders are not final until time expires to file a rehearing motion and, if filed, determined. The filing of such a motion does not alter the effective date of the discipline. Disbarred lawyers may not re-apply for admission for five years. They are required to go through an extensive process that includes a rigorous background check and retaking the Bar exam. Attorneys suspended for periods of 91 days and longer must undergo a rigorous process to regain their law licenses including proving rehabilitation. Disciplinary revocation is tantamount to disbarment.
David Jay Bernstein, 6574 N State Rd 7, #431, Coconut Creek, disciplinary revocation with leave to seek readmission after five years effective immediately following a February 6 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 1994) In multiple cases, Bernstein accepted fees from a client, failed to perform the agreed upon services, failed to properly communicate with the client, and failed to return documents. In numerous instances, Bernstein also failed to respond to investigative inquires by The Florida Bar. (Case No. SC2024-1710) Editor’s note: This release is for a final action from February 2025.
Patricia Anne Bronson, 20016 Nob Oak Ave, Tampa, disciplinary revocation without leave to apply for readmission effective immediately following an April 10 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2007) The Florida Supreme Court approved Bronson’s petition for disciplinary revocation without leave to apply for readmission. Bronson pled guilty to reckless driving and received a withhold of adjudication. She was sentenced to 12 months of probation with special terms and conditions. In a second matter, Bronson pled guilty to one count of introduction of contraband into a detention facility, a third-degree felony. On that same date, the trial court entered a judgment in the case, withheld adjudication, and sentenced Bronson to 18 months of probation with special terms and conditions. (Case No. SC2025-0085)
Xenia Hernández, 6923 NW 77th Ave, Miami, suspended effective 30 days following an April 25 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2017) The Bar sought the emergency suspension based on Hernández’s misappropriation of client funds, her use of the funds for her own benefit or the benefit of her firm, shortages in her trust account ranging from at least $169,000 to $381,000, and improper disbursements for a client using other clients’ funds. (Case No. SC2025-0556)
Suzanne Mandich, 360 Columbia Dr, Ste 100, West Palm Beach, suspended for 91 days, effective 30 days following an April 24 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2013) Mandich allowed her assistant to take the court-mandated parenting course online for a client, and thereafter filed with the court a certification that the client completed the course. At a later deposition, Mandich did not prevent her client from testifying that he had completed the course himself, nor did she correct the record in that regard. Mandich presented significant mitigation. (Case No. SC2025-0515)
Thomas Grant Neusom, 4737 N Ocean Dr, #129, Fort Lauderdale, disbarred effective immediately following an April 2 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2007) Neusom failed to respond to multiple official Bar inquiries regarding the investigation of three separate Bar matters. Additionally, Neusom failed to respond to an order to show cause entered by the Supreme Court of Florida. Accordingly, the Court found Neusom in contempt and issued an order of disbarment. (Case No. SC2025-0122)
Gregory F. Pillon, 730 NW 40th Ave, Miami, disciplinary revocation without leave to seek readmission effective immediately following an April 10 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2004) Pillon petitioned for disciplinary revocation without leave to seek readmission following allegations that while disbarred, Pillon worked as an independent contractor with a licensed attorney in a real estate transaction and engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. Pillon participated in the sale negotiations, communicated directly with the client-buyer and answered seller-complainant’s emails giving legal advice. Pillon did not file the required quarterly report with The Florida Bar. The Court granted the petition, effective immediately. (Case No. SC2025-0319)
Joshua Mark Silverman, 300 E University Ave, Ste 240, Gainesville, public reprimand effective immediately following an April 8 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2001) Following an order to show cause, Silverman was held in contempt and given a public reprimand. Silverman failed to respond to multiple Bar inquiries. Once he did respond, the response was untimely. (Case No. SC2025-0277)
John J. Vasti, 27615 US Hwy 27, Suite 109, Leesburg, public reprimand and ordered to attend Ethics School effective on April 10, the date of the court order. (Admitted to practice: 2010) Vasti failed to timely produce his client’s drug test results in accordance with a court-ordered timesharing agreement. In response to questioning and discovery requests by opposing counsel regarding whether the drug test was taken as well as the subsequent results, Vasti repeatedly objected and instructed his client to not answer. Vasti’s actions resulted in unnecessary delay and prejudice to the other party. (Case No. SC2024-1295)
Paul Gerard Wersant, 40575 California Oaks Rd, Ste D-2, Box 327, Murrieta, CA, felony suspended effective 30 days following an April 1 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2008) On January 31, Wersant pled guilty in Georgia to two felony counts of interstate interference with custody and one felony count of filing false documents in violation of the Georgia criminal code, and he was sentenced to 10 years. Wersant must serve two years in confinement to be deemed satisfied by entry and compilation of 180 days in the detention center and must serve the remaining eight years on felony probation as well as complete a substance abuse and mental health evaluation. Wersant must also complete 120 hours of community service and surrender his Georgia bar license. The Bar filed a Notice of Determination or Judgment of Guilt, and Wersant was suspended pending disposition of the case. (Case No. SC25-0455)
Original source can be found here.