TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Four Tampa Bay area attorneys are among 21 attorneys who were recently disbarred, suspended, reprimanded, or had their licenses revoked by the Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders.
The Florida Bar released the following information about the local attorneys who were disciplined between March 16 and April 20, 2017–
- Allen Montgomery Blake, 4411 Bee Ridge Road, No. 161, Sarasota, disbarred effective immediately, following a March 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1969) Blake was found in contempt for noncompliance, for violating the terms of an Aug. 26, 2016, suspension order. Specifically, Blake was required to notify clients, opposing counsel and tribunals of his three-year suspension, and provide the Bar within 30 days a sworn affidavit listing the names and addresses of all persons and entities that were furnished a copy of his suspension order. (Case No. SC17-45)
- Peter William Martin, 4705 26th St. W., Bradenton, to receive a disciplinary revocation, without leave to seek readmission, effective 30 days from an April 13 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1973) Disciplinary revocation is tantamount to disbarment. A disciplinary matter pending against Martin involved the misappropriation of funds from his trust account in the amount of at least $200,000. (Case No. SC17-145)
- Cherie A. Parker, P.O. Box 322, Largo, to receive a disciplinary revocation, with leave to seek readmission after five years, effective immediately, following an April 20 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1980) Disciplinary revocation is tantamount to disbarment. Disciplinary matters pending against Parker involved failure to maintain adequate communication with a client and failure to respond to The Florida Bar’s investigative inquiries. (Case No. SC17-324)
- Catherine Elizabeth Timilty, 11079 Longhill Drive N., Pinellas Park, to receive a disciplinary revocation, without leave to seek readmission, effective immediately, following an April 13 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1999) Disciplinary revocation is tantamount to disbarment. A disciplinary matter pending against Timilty involved her contempt of a court order. (Case No. SC17-417)
According to The Florida Bar, court orders are not final until time expires to file a rehearing motion and, if filed, determined. The filing of such a motion does not alter the effective date of the discipline.
Disbarred lawyers may not re-apply for admission for five years. They are required to go through an extensive process that rejects Florida many who apply. It includes a rigorous background check and retaking the bar exam. Historically, less than 5 percent of disbarred lawyers seek readmission.
Discipline case files that are public record are posted to attorneys’ individual online Florida Bar profiles.
Additional information on the discipline system and how to file a complaint can be found here.
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