The Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders disciplined fourteen attorneys, disbarring two, revoking the license of three, suspending seven, and reprimanding two.
Alexis Trischa-Day Benjamin, 5907 Sheridan St., #B1, Hollywood, suspended for six months effective nunc pro tunc to December 1, 2024, following a May 1 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2007) Benjamin was suspended from the practice of law by order of the Supreme Court of Florida on October 29, 2020. Prior to her October 29, 2020 suspension, she represented a relative in a landlord-tenant matter. By the time of her suspension, the relative’s matter had stagnated and no hearings were scheduled. Benjamin neglected to file a notice of suspension in the relative’s matter, despite filing the required notices in other matters. In December 2021, she received a notice of hearing in the relative’s matter, and she again failed to notify the court of her suspension. Her relative appeared pro se at the scheduled hearing, although Benjamin also appeared in person. Opposing counsel was aware of the relative’s pro se status, however, emailed Benjamin to review a proposed pre-trial order. Benjamin provided proposed changes to the pre-trial order, despite informing opposing counsel that the relative was not her client. Benjamin accepted responsibility, showed remorse, and presented mitigation in the disciplinary proceedings.
Danielle Justine Butler, 625 SE 26th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, suspended for 30 days nunc pro tunc to June 18, 2021, following a May 22 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2001) Butler sent an invoice to a client that attributed higher costs than were actually incurred by Butler’s firm during her representation of the client. Subsequently, Butler entered a no-contest plea to the misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice, was sentenced to 12 months of administrative probation and adjudication was withheld.
Pamela Therese Calderon, 871 Venetia Bay Blvd., Suite 203, Venice, disciplinary revocation without leave to seek readmission effective immediately following a May 8 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 1991) In July 2024, a review of both Calderon trust and operating accounts showed that disbursements were not made and that Calderon had misappropriated $47,171.57 of client funds that were payable to or on behalf of a client she had represented in a marital dissolution matter. Calderon was subsequently suspended from the practice of law on November 12, 2024, pursuant to The Florida Bar’s Petition for Emergency Suspension. The court granted Calderon’s petition for disciplinary revocation on May 8, 2025.
Taylor Wayne Casey, 630 W. Adams St., Suite 204, Jacksonville, interim felony suspension effective 30 days following a May 7 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2011) Casey was convicted of Resisting an Officer with Violence, in violation of Fla. Stat. §843.01, of Trespass, in violation of Fla. Stat. §810.09, and of Disorderly Intoxication, in violation of Fla. Stat. §856.011(1).
Barry Robert Gainsburg, 10601 Royal Palm Blvd., Coral Springs, disciplinary revocation with leave to seek readmission after five years effective immediately following a May 15 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 1993) Gainsburg pled no contest to one count of Making Written or Electronic Threats to Kill, Do Bodily Injury or Conduct a Mass Shooting or an Act of Terrorism, a second-degree felony. Gainsburg also had a case pending before the Supreme Court of Florida with a recommendation of disbarment for conviction on a misdemeanor charge, as well as unprofessional conduct toward The Florida Bar.
Jerry D. Haynes, 4850 Tamiami Trail N., Unit 301, Naples, suspended for 30 months effective 30 days following a May 8 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2004) The court approved the uncontested Report of Referee recommending a 30-month suspension as reciprocal discipline. Haynes was suspended for 30 months by the United States Patent and Trademarks Office via final order dated February 14, 2020, in Proceeding No. D2017-11, and final order dated October 2, 2020, in Proceeding No. D2019-47. In D2017-11, Haynes contracted with two patent companies who solicited inventors. Haynes provided legal advice regarding patentability of the inventions without the inventors’ consent and without disclosing to the inventors the nature of the arrangement between the companies and the Haynes, including fee-sharing arrangements. In No. D2019-47, Haynes failed to diligently represent the client’s interest during the patent application process which resulted in patent expiration and abandonment. Haynes also failed to communicate with his clients.
Bruce Jacobs, 169 E Flagler St., Suite 1620, Miami, permanently disbarred, effective immediately following a May 6 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 1997) Jacobs continued using bad faith litigation tactics in foreclosure defense proceedings, after having already been disciplined for similar misconduct. Jacobs filed frivolous and dishonest pleadings containing unsupported attacks on the integrity of the courts, disrupted the tribunals, and prejudiced the administration of justice.
Lorraine Johns, 38053 Live Oak Ave., Dade City, suspended from the practice of law for 10 days and payment of the Bar’s costs effective 30 days following a May 15 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2001) Johns neglected two separate client matters while assisting them in the administration of estate matters. Upon the Bar’s investigation, Johns repeatedly failed to timely respond to the Bar.
Natalie Renee Jones, 2121 S. Hiawassee Rd., Apt. 4614, Orlando, disbarred effective immediately following a May 22 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 1994) Over a period of three years, Jones used money in her trust account for her personal expenses, causing shortages in her trust account that she never reported. The trust account shortage totaled approximately $37,000. Jones prepared settlement statements for six clients that reflected the settlement proceeds would be offset by debts owed to medical providers who had treated Jones’ clients. Jones, however, did not pay any of the medical providers she included in those settlement statements and, instead, converted the money. Jones made no effort to pay the medical providers, other than to send them letters promising to pay at some later date. In addition, Jones made misrepresentations in her initial responses to the Bar’s inquiries and when she certified that she was in compliance with Chapter 5 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar as to her trust account. Jones was previously suspended; therefore, her disbarment is effective immediately.
Walker J. Smith IV, P.O. Box 531065, Orlando, public reprimand, completion of Ethics School, completion of 50 hours of pro bono legal service and completion of notary education without re-issuance of his notary commission, effective immediately following a May 1 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2021) While he was working for a law firm as an associate, Smith improperly executed a contingency fee contract in a workers’ compensation case. Smith backdated the contract to match the date the client executed it, a date prior to his admission to the Bar. Smith directed his nonlawyer assistant to notarize the document without having the assistant witness its execution nor was the client/signor present. The backdated and notarized fee contract was filed with the court and caused the court to believe he practiced law prior to having a license. Smith also failed to ensure that the client was provided a copy of the executed contingency fee contract as required.
Kenneth Clark Steel III, 1837 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, public reprimand effective 30 days following a May 8 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 1993) Steel missed the applicable Georgia Statute of Limitations for a client’s civil tort case, resulting in the client being time barred from seeking redress for her injuries.
David H. Stoller, 4445 Conway Rd., Orlando, public reprimand, by appearance before the referee; Ethics School; an office procedures and record-keeping analysis by The Florida Bar’s Diversion/Discipline Consultation Service; and Continuing Legal Education, effective within 30 days of a May 15 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 1996) While representing clients in immigration matters, Stoller engaged in a pattern of lack of diligence, neglect, and failure to follow court orders and local rules, resulting in a case dismissal and multiple orders to show cause being issued to Stoller.
James Lawrence Torres, 274 East Eau Gallie Blvd., Suite 210, Satellite Beach, disciplinary revocation with leave to apply for readmission after 5 years effective 30 days following a May 1 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 1985) After a check drawn on Torres’ law office trust account was returned due to insufficient funds, the Bar conducted a preliminary audit of his trust account and determined there was a significant shortage. The preliminary audit determined there were trust account violations involving the required trust accounting records and procedures.
Mendel Zilberberg, 206 Grandview Ave. Monsey, NY, interim felony suspension effective 30 days following a May 8 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 1997) Zilberberg was convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§1349, 3293, Bank Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§1344, 3293, Conspiracy to Make False Statements to a Bank, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§371, 3293, Making False Statements to a Bank, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§1014, 3292,2 and Embezzlement and Misappropriation of Bank Funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§656, 3293.
SIMILAR STORIES
Florida Supreme Court: Workgroup to Review Bar Exam Accreditation Requirements Due To ABA DEI Policy
18 Lawyers Disciplined By Florida Supreme Court
Copyright 2023-2025 FloridaWord.com
