Free Republic

An investigation into U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz will proceed, the Florida Bar said Wednesday, meaning the Panhandle Republican could face discipline for allegedly intimidating President Donald Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen. A grand jury-like panel called the Grievance Committee will next decide whether there is probable cause that Gaetz’s tweet violated Florida rules for lawyers. Gaetz is licensed to practice law in Florida. If the Florida Bar had determined in its initial review that discipline was not warranted, then the case would have stopped. But it has not, meaning the Bar has decided that further investigation is needed. In moving...

The Florida Bar is asking for disciplinary action against South Florida attorney David J. Stern for ignoring a Fifth District Court of Appeal’s order in a foreclosure case where his firm represented SunTrust Bank. A complaint filed with the Florida Supreme Court Friday charges Stern, whose Plantation-based company was once the largest foreclosure firm in the state, with violating rules of professional conduct and disobeying a court obligation. Read complaint here Stern’s attorney, Jeff Tew, said Stern was fired by SunTrust in mid Dec. 2010, before the Feb. 16 order was issued. Also, with 10,000 pieces of mail coming into...

Dear Justice Kennedy, I agree with what you wrote, this week. No, I don’t mean your part in the decision that any government can take anybody’s house, any time. We’ll get back to that reprehensible case. No, I agree with your speech to the Florida Bar Association last Friday. Most folks don’t pay much attention to Justices’ speeches on the rubber chicken circuit. I do. As usual, the Associated Press title was misleading. It said, “Lawyers Must Defend Judiciary from Attacks.” What you actually said was, “When judges are attacked unfairly, it’s proper for the bar over the course of...

BAR PRESIDENT DENOUNCES ATTACKS ON JUDICIARY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 24, 2005 CONTACT: Francine Walker, The Florida Bar TELEPHONE: 850/561-5666 STATEMENT OF KELLY OVERSTREET JOHNSON, PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA BAR TALLAHASSEE -- The tragic and high visibility case of Terri Schiavo has resulted in an unprecedented and unjustified attack upon our judiciary. Regardless of anyone’s personal or political feelings about the Schiavo case, this is a critical time for Americans to recognize the vital role of the judiciary in maintaining the rule of law and the importance of the separation of powers among the three branches of government. It is...

Prosecutors rebuked in Limbaugh inquiry By Peter Franceschina Staff Writer January 29, 2004 The general counsel for the Florida Attorney General's Office criticized Palm Beach County prosecutors Wednesday, asserting they mischaracterized the office's input into the prosecutors' decision to release documents last week in the Rush Limbaugh investigation. The letter gave fresh ammunition to Limbaugh and his attorney Roy Black in their attacks against Palm Beach County State Attorney Barry Krischer for his handling of the prescription drug investigation. Also on Wednesday, a conservative public-interest law firm that supports Limbaugh filed ethics complaints with The Florida Bar against Krischer and...