It never starts big – at least that’s true in the majority of cases. Yet, regardless of the profession there are consistent and continuous examples of people who have been trained and know better making dumb stupid choices that have some unintended consequences! Here we have examples of attorneys disciplined for unethical choices.
Every choice has a consequence and the following are some examples of choices that likely didn’t get the outcome that they might have wanted when first made.
In an article by the Daily Business Review author Celia Ampel shares that the Florida Supreme Court has disciplined eight South Florida attorneys, including two who were disbarred.
The information that I found most interesting were the following from Celia’s article:
Peter Mark Hodkin of Hollywood was disbarred with leave to seek readmission after five years after he was charged with converting client money.
Margaret Blot of Pembroke Pines was suspended for 90 days. She negligently deposited client funds in her primary business account, according to the court order. She also didn’t keep the required minimum trust account records and did not properly file a client’s immigration documents because of a fee dispute with him.
Jonathan Ari Markhoff of North Miami Beach was suspended for 90 days and will be on probation for three years. He failed to maintain adequate accounting records, commingled client funds and caused a client’s check to bounce.
An Ethics Challenge
Of the three mentioned above – all had issues of differing magnitudes as it related to clients money. Whether an attorney, insurance agent, financial adviser or CPA, the high bar for ethical action always relates to the interaction with a clients money or financial activities.
It’s easy to “borrow” some funds to meet a payroll or pay a bill. The problem is that “borrowing” is theft and theft is not only unethical but quite illegal. The consequence is significant including federal prison.
I have to admit it’s a bit funny, but I had an ethics course offered as a webinar for attorney’s in Florida. No one signed up!
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