Florida Bar v. Kennedy
Florida Bar v. Kennedy
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting.
I disagree with the discipline imposed by the majority opinion. The record in my view requires disbarment.
Opinion of the Court
This disciplinary proceeding is before us to review a referee’s report recommending that respondent be suspended from the practice of law during the period of his federal probation and until such time as he successfully passes the ethics portion of the Florida Bar Examination. The Florida Bar has filed a petition for review, asking this Court to reject the referee’s recommendation and instead disbar the respondent. We have jurisdiction. Art. V, § 15, Fla. Const.
The Florida Bar filed a Notice of Felony Conviction with this Court, and we suspended respondent from the practice of law on February 15, 1981. Subsequently The Florida Bar filed a complaint, initiating a disciplinary proceeding. The referee found that respondent had breached fiduciary duties in violation of Florida Bar Code of Professional Responsibility, Disciplinary Rules 1-102(A)(1), (3), (4), and (6). Apparently because respondent had never been disciplined and because he exhibited remorse, the referee recommended that respondent be suspended for the period of his federal probation and until such time he successfully passes the ethics portion of the Florida Bar Examination.
We approve the referee’s finding of professional misconduct. We adopt the referee’s recommended discipline in part. Respondent shall be suspended from the practice of law for the period of his federal court-ordered probation and until he shall have passed all parts of the Florida Bar Examination. Moreover, respondent’s suspension shall continue until he establishes restoration of his civil rights.
It is so ordered.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- THE FLORIDA BAR v. Harvey Ronald KENNEDY
- Status
- Published