TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Five Tampa Bay area attorneys are among 20 attorneys who were recently disbarred, reprimanded, or had their licenses suspended by the Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders.
The Florida Bar released the following information about the local attorneys–
- Nicole Mae Frost, 300 Turner St., Clearwater, disbarred effective immediately, following a Feb. 9 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1998) Frost was negligent in the representation of two homeowners associations. She misappropriated funds belonging to the associations, and failed to hold the funds in her trust account. Frost also failed to respond to Bar inquiries regarding the grievance filed against her. (Case No. SC16-1233)
- Osa Jackson Harp, IV, 224 W. Fort Dade Ave., Brooksville, disbarred effective 30 days from a Feb. 2 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2006) In numerous instances, Harp failed to diligently represent clients, after accepting fees. He often failed to communicate, failed to act on cases, missed office appointments and routinely failed to appear for scheduled hearings. Harp also consistently failed to meet filing deadlines. (Case Nos. SC16-261 & SC16-527)
- Denise Tamara Herman, 7850 Umberton Road, Suite 2B, Largo, to be publicly reprimanded, and further, placed on probation, following a Feb. 9 court order. (Admitted to practice:2006) Herman pleaded no contest and was adjudicated guilty to a charge of driving under the influence. She had a prior DUI conviction in 2008, but did not report either to The Florida Bar. (Case No. SC16-925)
- Antonios Poulos, 1502 W. Busch Blvd., Suite 200, Tampa, disbarred effective immediately, following a Jan. 26 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2007) In one matter, Poulos represented a couple in foreclosure proceedings, then represented the wife in a dissolution of marriage while still the attorney of record in the foreclosure. In three other matters, Poulos did not diligently represent clients after being retained. He failed to take action on their cases, failed to respond to a court’s motion, and failed to adequately communicate with clients and the Bar. (Case No. SC16-584)
- Bradford L. Stewart, P.O. Box 2188, Bartow, suspended for 91 days, effective 30 days from a Feb. 16 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2005) Stewart advised a client in a paternity/child support matter, and the client’s employer, his uncle, that they could change the client’s job position to one with a lower salary, which could reduce the client’s child support obligation. Stewart then filed his client’s amended verified financial affidavit reflecting the lower income. The scheme was not discovered until several years later, when emails between the client, uncle and Stewart were provided to the mother. (Case No. SC17-101)
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.
To view discipline documents, follow these steps.
Additional information on the discipline system and how to file a complaint can be found here.
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