At Boswell & Dunlap LLP, we have provided efficient representation to clients for more than a century. Founded in 1900, our firm continues to demonstrate a legacy of attentive service and informative legal counsel. If you are an attorney facing disciplinary actions or complaints with the Florida Bar, our Polk County bar defense lawyer, David Carmichael, has the experience to represent you. As a fellow attorney, he knows that just one complaint can put your entire career in jeopardy. He will use evidence and effective legal strategies to fight on your behalf as you strive to reach a favorable conclusion.
Attorney Carmichael has extensive experience with Florida Bar disciplinary cases:
- He is a two-time grievance committee chairman.
- He is a certified Florida Bar Grievance Mediator and Arbitrator.
- He has used his experience with the Bar Discipline process to aide attorneys in need.
- He has provided representation in more than 250 jury trials.
His position as a grievance committee chairman gave him unique insight into how these types of cases operate. Thus, he is able to provide thorough representation to attorneys facing Florida Bar issues. As a Polk County bar defense lawyer, he will help you file the necessary paperwork in a timely manner. Throughout the process, he will work hard to help you avoid any disciplinary actions and negotiate a beneficial resolution.
Understanding the Florida Bar Complaint & Disciplinary Process
There are several reasons you may face disciplinary actions from the Florida Bar. These include personal conduct complaints (including criminal arrests, civil contempt, court sanctions, and child support delinquency), embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, and mishandling of client trust accounts. A complaint may be filed by a client, judge, witness, opposing counsel, banker, or someone not even connected to your case.
Once the complaint is filed, the Florida Bar will open a file and send you a notification letter. You will need to provide a written response as soon as possible. If not quickly resolved, your case will be assigned a Bar prosecutor. The specific aspects of the complaint will be investigated, and a grievance committee will determine if the complaint has probable cause.
If there is probable cause, the case will become a formal prosecution. It could either be dismissed, negotiated and resolved, or sent to a formal hearing. The referee (a circuit or county judge where you are licensed to practice) will issue a recommendation regarding your guilt and penalties. The Board of Governors will then review your case and reach a decision.
Seek a Favorable Solution with the Help of Our Polk County Bar Defense Attorney
Boswell & Dunlap LLP provides diligent legal services to attorneys facing Florida Bar complaints and disciplinary hearings. Having a knowledgeable Polk County bar defense lawyer on your side can help ensure your rights are protected throughout the process. From start to finish, Attorney Carmichael will listen to your concerns, work diligently to gather evidence, and represent you from the initial complaint stage all the way to a formal hearing if necessary.
