THE FLORIDA BAR, COMPLAINANT,
v.
S. EDWARD GROOT, RESPONDENT
AI-generated. These summaries, headnotes, and key points are machine-generated and may contain errors or omissions. Always verify against the full opinion text below. Not legal advice.
Attorney disbarred for converting client trust funds to personal use, failing to account to clients, and engaging in dishonest conduct across three separate attorney-client relationships.
An attorney who converts client trust funds to personal use, fails to render appropriate accountings, and engages in dishonest conduct is subject to disbarment.
[1] Conversion of client trust funds to personal use, failure to render accountings, and dishonest conduct constitute grounds for disbarment.
Previewing 1 of 1 headnotes on this case. FLexlaw’s editorially structured points of law — every proposition, pinpointed — are reserved for members.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceRespondent conducted himself improperly in three separate attorney-client relationships by converting trust funds to his own personal use and failing …
The full statement of facts, procedural history, and disposition for this case are member content.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence© FLexlaw, Inc. — AI-generated enrichments are proprietary. All rights reserved.
Explore caselaw by topic → Browse Article XI cases and more on FLexlaw
BARKETT, Justice.
This disciplinary proceeding is presently before us on complaint of The Florida Bar and the uncontested report of the referee. We have jurisdiction. Art. V, § 15, Fla. Const. The referee found that respondent conducted himself improperly in three separate attorney-client relationships. Specifically, the referee found respondent guilty of violating, inter alia, Florida Bar Integration Rule, article XI, Rule 11.02(4), and Florida Bar Code of Professional Responsibility, Disciplinary Rules 9-102(B)(3) and 1-102(A)(4), for converting trust funds to his own personal use, failing to render appropriate accountings to his clients, and engaging in conduct involving dishonesty. (Respondent has additionally been subjected to criminal prosecution for grand theft for his actions.)
In that neither respondent nor The Florida Bar has chosen to contest the report, we approve the referee’s findings and recommendations.
Accordingly, respondent is hereby disbarred from the practice of law in the state of Florida, effective immediately.
Judgment for costs in the amount of $1,278.89 is hereby entered against respondent, for which sum let execution issue.
It is so ordered.
ADKINS, Acting C.J., and OVERTON, MCDONALD and EHRLICH, JJ., concur.