Suspension Insufficient

The Florida Supreme Court accepted findings of misconduct but rejected a referee's proposed three-year suspension in favor of disbarment in a matter where the attorney had represented a client who had engaged in unauthorized practice. The lawyer then, in essence, went into the unauthorized practice business with the client. The lawyer made false representations in the bar investigation and had caused significant harm to the interests of eight clients in immigration matters. The court concluded that the misconduct warranted the sanction of disbarment. (Mike Frisch)