As Fla. Bar Investigates 157 Foreclosure Lawyers, Some Say More Action Is Needed
The number of investigations being pursued by the Florida Bar against foreclosure lawyers has tripled since the end of 2010.
There are now 222 open legal ethics cases, up from 69, against 157 lawyers instead of the 48 that were being probed only a few months ago, reports the Palm Beach Post.
A state attorney general’s investigation of eight law firms that represent banks in foreclosure cases is also ongoing.
Nonetheless, critics say officials aren’t acting quickly enough, amidst allegations that some practitioners on both sides of the case have flouted the law.
Some lawyers will lose their licenses as a result of the probes, predicts Florida Bar President Mayanne Downs. “It’s the death penalty of the legal profession,” she tells the newspaper.
Additional and related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Judge Axes Foreclosure, Bans Do-Over, Holds Lawyer in Contempt; Fannie Mae Pulls Files from Firm”
South Florida Sun-Sentinel: “David J. Stern: The man behind the crumbling foreclosure empire”
The Juice (Broward-Palm Beach New Times): “Seriously, Who Is David J. Stern, ‘The Man Behind The Crumbling Foreclosure Empire?’ “
Wall Street Journal Law Blog: “Plunge in Florida Foreclosures Renders $72 Million Shortfall in Courts”
