Lawyer Discipline

Florida corrections department lawyer resigns after Facebook rant

A Florida Department of Corrections lawyer who made derogatory comments about black people on Facebook resigned Wednesday. Eric Giunta, the department’s assistant general counsel since December 2017, wrote that “black people need to stop raping, murdering, stealing, and vandalizing, and quit having children out of wedlock” in reaction to a…

Apr 25, 2019 9:16 AM CDT

Criminal defense attorney and judge settle suit over alleged retaliation involving recording

A Houston criminal defense attorney who recorded a Galveston County judge saying he “overworks” cases and lacks experience has settled his lawsuit against the judge. In March 2018, Andrew Willey sued Judge Jack Ewing of the Galveston County Court at Law No. 3 for allegedly retaliating against him by refusing…

Apr 23, 2019 4:09 PM CDT

ACLU challenges attorney over sexual relationships, time out of practice

The American Civil Liberties Union is trying to remove an attorney from a death penalty case in Kern County in California, arguing that his sexual relationships with a client’s daughters and lengthy leave of absence from the law could be detrimental to the client. Lawyer Gary Turnbull was appointed to…

Apr 23, 2019 9:25 AM CDT

Former congressman suspended for lying about ‘ugly lesbians’ comment

The Kentucky Supreme Court has imposed a 60-day suspension from the practice of law on former U.S. Rep. Carroll Hubbard, D-Ky., after he mailed attorney Alisha Bobo a photo of her and her wife with a handwritten caption “2 pitifull [sic.], fat, ugly lesbians.” In a six-page opinion, filed April…

Apr 22, 2019 11:00 AM CDT

Utah bar investigation into polygamy could raise other legal challenges

The Utah State Bar is investigating complaints that seven lawyers are violating rules of conduct by being involved in polygamous relationships, a felony punishable by five to 15 years in prison.

Apr 22, 2019 9:19 AM CDT

Lawyer held in contempt for spending $390K in frozen funds spends 2 weekends per month in jail

A lawyer in Jackson, Mississippi, continues to spend two weekends per month in jail for contempt of court after he failed to persuade a judge to switch him to home confinement. Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III denied the motion by lawyer Eduardo Flechas in February, the Mississippi…

Apr 18, 2019 7:00 AM CDT

Lawyer suspended for telling tenant he is worthless and should commit suicide

Updated: A prominent real estate lawyer in New York City has been suspended for four months, partly for telling a tenant in a recorded phone conversation that he would be reported to authorities and that “now you’re my bitch.”

Apr 4, 2019 11:49 AM CDT

Lawyer who blamed sleep apnea for case inaction faces 3-year suspension

A lawyer who blamed sleep apnea for his inaction on a case should be suspended but not disbarred, according to a recommendation by the New Hampshire Supreme Court’s Professional Conduct Committee. The committee is recommending a three-year suspension, with 18 months stayed, for Manchester attorney Joshua Mesmer, the New Hampshire…

Apr 3, 2019 7:30 AM CDT

Lawyer fingerprinting in this state turns up over 2,200 convictions unknown to bar

A California court rule requiring lawyers to be fingerprinted has turned up more than 6,000 criminal history reports, including more than 2,200 convictions previously unknown to the state bar. The 2,200 unknown convictions include 20 unreported felonies, Above the Law reports. The number of convictions likely will increase as more…

Apr 1, 2019 7:30 AM CDT

Florida corrections department lawyer resigns after Facebook rant

Criminal defense attorney and judge settle suit over alleged retaliation involving recording

ACLU challenges attorney over sexual relationships, time out of practice

Former congressman suspended for lying about ‘ugly lesbians’ comment

Utah bar investigation into polygamy could raise other legal challenges

Lawyer held in contempt for spending $390K in frozen funds spends 2 weekends per month in jail

Lawyer suspended for telling tenant he is worthless and should commit suicide

Lawyer who blamed sleep apnea for case inaction faces 3-year suspension

Lawyer fingerprinting in this state turns up over 2,200 convictions unknown to bar

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