News Releases

SUPREME COURT DISCIPLINES 18 ATTORNEYS

Summaries of orders issued from May 8, 2025, to June 27, 2025

The Florida Bar, the state’s guardian for the integrity of the legal profession, announces that the Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders disciplined 18 attorneys, disbarring three, revoking the license of one, suspending 11, and reprimanding three.

The Florida Supreme Court, The Florida Bar, and its Division of Lawyer Regulation are charged with administering a statewide disciplinary system to enforce Supreme Court rules of professional conduct for the more than 114,000 members of The Florida Bar. Key discipline case files that are public record are posted to attorneys’ individual online Florida Bar profiles. To view discipline documents, follow these steps. Information on the discipline system and how to file a complaint are available at www.floridabar.org/attorneydiscipline.

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 includes a rigorous background check and retaking the Bar exam. Attorneys suspended for periods of 91 days and longer must undergo a rigorous process to regain their law licenses including proving rehabilitation. Disciplinary revocation is tantamount to disbarment.

Corey Matthew Ackerman, 2861 Long Meadow Dr., Wellington, public reprimand effective immediately following a May 29 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2008) Ackerman was previously given diversion based upon an arrest for drug possession. The charges were dropped but diversion to FLA, Inc. was offered and accepted. Ackerman was out of the country for significant periods of time that made compliance with FLA, Inc. unacceptable. For that violation, discipline in the form of a public reprimand was offered and accepted. (Case No. SC2024-1760)

Steven Edward Amster, 4000 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Suite 470, Coral Gables, public reprimand effective immediately following a June 5 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 1994) After receiving fees to represent a client in additional legal matters, Amster failed to memorialize in writing to the client that the payment was a non-refundable flat fee. (Case No. SC2024-1362)

Ruzy Behnejad, 1825 Ponce De Leon Blvd. Suite 514, Coral Gables, disciplinary revocation with leave to seek readmission after five years effective 30 days following a June 5 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2014) The court granted Behnejad’s Petition for Disciplinary Revocation with Leave to Apply for Readmission after Five Years following allegations that he failed to immediately distribute the funds to his client or the authorized payees under the settlement agreement. Behnejad ultimately disbursed the funds to the appropriate parties. (Case No. SC2025-0491)

Brooke Lynnette Girley, 117 E. Marks St., Suite A, Orlando, suspended for 30 days effective 30 days following a June 26 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2010) Brooke Girley holds an “of counsel” position at her father’s law firm. Following the entry of an Order on Directed Verdicts in a civil case where her father was representing the plaintiff, she repeatedly made statements impugning the trial judge’s integrity on various platforms. With reckless disregard of their truth or falsity, Girley made public statements accusing the judge of being racist and reversing the $2.75 million jury verdict in the case because the plaintiff is black. Girley’s statements eroded the public’s confidence in the legal system and even led to death threats directed at the judge. (Case No. SC2022-0859)

Jerry Girley, 117 E. Marks St., Suite A, Orlando, suspended for 30 days and ordered to attend The Florida Bar’s Professionalism Workshop, effective 30 days following a June 26 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2007) Jerry Girley represented the plaintiff in a civil lawsuit. Following the trial court’s entry of its Order on Directed Verdicts, Girley repeatedly made statements impugning the trial judge’s integrity on various platforms. With reckless disregard of their truth or falsity, Girley made public statements accusing the judge of being racist and reversing the $2.75 million jury verdict in the case because the plaintiff is black. Girley’s statements eroded the public’s confidence in the legal system and even led to death threats directed at the judge. (Case No. SC2022-0860)

Don Gonzalez, 1820 N. Corporate Lakes Blvd., Suite 206, Weston, disbarred effective immediately following a May 29 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 1993) Gonzalez neglected several clients, did not keep clients reasonably informed about the status of their respective cases, failed to account for and deliver client funds to a client, and failed to respond to the official inquiries of the Bar. (Case No. SC2024-1448)

Alisha Elaine Gordon, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 450, Washington, D.C., suspended for 90 days and ordered to attend Ethics School and The Florida Bar’s Professionalism Workshop, effective 30 days following a June 26 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2004) This is a reciprocal case from Washington, D.C. in which Gordon received a public reprimand. Gordon represented The Celeste Group LLC in a bankruptcy proceeding. Washington Capital Partners (‘WCP”) was a creditor in the proceeding related to two adjacent real properties. The principal of The Celeste Group LLC had been living in one of the properties. In September 2022, WCP foreclosed on the two properties and later sent a contractor to change the locks on the properties thinking they were vacant. Gordon advised that she would be filing a temporary restraining order the next day. However, the principal filed a pro se complaint and motion for injunctive relief against WCP. Gordon entered her appearance in the case, and a hearing on the motion for injunctive relief was set. At the hearing, Gordon and her client appeared but WCP did not. Gordon told the court WCP had been served and given notice falsely indicating that she had spoken to WCP and advised them of the hearing. Gordon did not correct this misstatement in the TRO even after WCP’s counsel asked her to do so. (Case No. SC2025-0218)

Chelsea Elizabeth Haritan, 12811 Moores Chapel Rd. Charlotte, NC, suspended for 91 days effective immediately following a May 29 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2012) In Amarco Restoration v. American Coastal Ins., Haritan failed to confer with opposing counsel to schedule a deposition and failed to appear with the witness once scheduled. Further, Haritan failed to respond to discovery requests, produce responsive documents and failed to observe discovery deadlines. In Florida Services Team v. Olympus Ins., Haritan represented the plaintiff who had already been paid in full by the insurer, prior to filing the suit. Haritan failed to appear at hearings, confer with opposing counsel or stipulate to the substitution of counsel. The court entered an order of summary judgment for the insurance company and sanctioned Haritan $6,500.00 for attorney’s fees. (Case No. SC2025-0439)

Divya Khullar, P.O. Box 5021, Lighthouse Point, suspended for two years effective 30 days following a May 8 court order.  (Admitted to Practice: 2012) Khullar, in Oregon and Florida, engaged in a pattern of failing to supervise his nonlawyer representatives and allowing them to meet with the clients, discuss their case, present the client with a fee agreement, and collect the fees from the clients. Khullar failed to ensure there was adequate communication with clients and failed to ensure client matters were handled diligently. Khullar’s two law offices closed without notice to the clients. Khullar did not make restitution to most of the clients. In fact, the Oregon clients who did receive restitution only received it from the Oregon State Bar after their litigation and collection efforts against Khullar. Khullar continued to work with the nonlawyer representative without supervising him even after it became apparent that the nonlawyer was untrustworthy. (Case No. SC2023-0582)

Michael Joseph Murphy, 4601 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Suite 310, Coral Gables, permanently disbarred effective immediately following a May 19 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 1978) Murphy, who was previously disbarred, engaged in acts that constitute the practice of law, in violation of the Court’s Order. Upon The Florida Bar’s petition, Murphy was held in contempt and sanctioned accordingly. Murphy has filed a motion for reconsideration which remains pending. (Case No. SC2025-0353)

Amber H. Patwell, 136 4th St. N., Suite 201, Office 356, Saint Petersburg, interim felony suspension effective 30 days following a June 12 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2007) On June 20, 2025, Patwell was convicted of one count of Neglect of a Child, a third-degree felony. Patwell was adjudicated guilty and sentenced to 24 months of drug-offender probation. (Case No. SC2025-0830)

William G. Schlotthauer, 6801 Energy Ct., Suite 100, Sarasota, disbarred, effective immediately following a June 26 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2000) Schlotthauer misappropriated at least $1,061,499.00 from trusts for which he served as the sole trustee. The Court issued an order on June 26 disbarring respondent. After the disbarment order was issued, Schlotthauer filed a motion for rehearing that remains pending. (Case No. SC2024-1821)

Kevin T. Vagovic, 210 South Beach St., Suite 203, Daytona Beach, suspended from the practice of law effective 30 days following a June 11 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2014) Vagovic failed to respond in writing to the Bar’s investigative inquiries. He is suspended until he makes a written response to the Bar’s investigative inquiry and until further order of the Supreme Court of Florida. (Case No. SC2025-0469)

Gabriel F. V. Warren, 1560 Hickory Ave., Tallahassee, suspended from the practice of law for 60 days effective immediately following a June 5 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2010) Gabriel Warren entered a plea of no contest and adjudication was withheld to one count of the Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device, Including But Not Limited to, a Portable Two-Way Wireless Communication Device, to Facilitate or Further the Commission of Any Felony; a third-degree felony. (Case No. SC2024-1206)

Sarah Savannah Warren, 1560 Hickory Ave., Tallahassee, suspended from the practice of law for 60 days effective immediately following a June 5 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2011) Sarah Warren entered a plea of no contest and adjudication was withheld to one count of the Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device, Including But Not Limited to, a Portable Two-Way Wireless Communication Device, to Facilitate or Further the Commission of Any Felony; a third-degree felony. (Case No. SC2024-1208)

Jason Alan Wiles, 2016 Delta Blvd., Suite 201, Tallahassee, interim felony suspension effective 30 days following a May 23 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2006) On May 28, 2024, Wiles pleaded nolo contendre to one count of Felony Battery, for which adjudication was withheld, he was sentenced to 36 months of probation. (Case No. SC2025-0728)

Kenneth L. Williams, 8646 Tristan Dr., Jacksonville, public reprimand administered by appearance before the referee and attendance at Ethics School, effective immediately following a May 29 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 1980) Williams willfully refused to obey a court order to proceed to jury trial after his request for a continuance was denied. (Case No. SC2024-1669)

Jennifer Ann Zarka, 7144 Madrid Ave., Jacksonville, suspended for one year, and a four-year probation upon reinstatement, effective 30 days following a June 5 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2023) This is a reciprocal discipline action based on discipline imposed against the Zarka in Texas. Zarka received a five-year probated suspension with one-year active suspension for failure to promptly comply with requests from her client regarding the status of his legal matter, failure to hold real estate proceeds in trust or promptly deposit the sale proceeds into a court registry, and for making a false statement of material fact at a hearing held in the Texas Bar discipline matter. Zarka was found to be in violation of Tex. Disciplinary R. Prof. Conduct 1.03(a), 1.14(a), 1.14(b) and 8.01(a). (Case No. SC2025-0165)

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