SUPREME COURT DISCIPLINES 5 ATTORNEYS
Summaries of orders issued from July 31, 2024, to August 28, 2024
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 five attorneys, disbarring one, revoking the license of one, suspending two, and emergency suspending one.
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 112,000 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.
Rasheed Karim Allen-Dawson, P.O. Box 136717, Clermont, disbarred effective immediately following an Aug. 1 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2011) After being suspended from the practice of law by order of the Supreme Court of Florida, Allen-Dawson failed to provide notice of his suspension to all clients and courts as required. Allen-Dawson also continued engaging in the practice of law after the effective date of his suspension in violation of the order of the Supreme Court of Florida. As a result, Allen-Dawson was held in contempt and disbarred, effective immediately due to his existing suspension. (Case No. SC2022-1773)
Charles Edwin Lykes , Jr., 1601 Brigadoon Dr., Clearwater, suspended until further order of the Court effective 30 days following a July 31 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1980) Lykes was held in contempt by the Court and suspended for his failure to respond to inquiries from The Florida Bar. The Florida Bar filed its Petition for Contempt and Order to Show Cause on May 17, 2024, and the Florida Supreme Court ordered Lykes to respond by June 4, 2024. Lykes failed to file a response. Lykes is to remain suspended until he has fully responded in writing to the official Bar inquiries, and until further order of the Court. (Case No. SC2024-0739)
Willishia Brenay Plant, 801 Brickell Ave., Suite 800, Miami, suspended for 180 days; and upon reinstatement placed on probation for two years, effective 30 days following an Aug. 8 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2019) Plant was not diligent and failed to adequately communicate with her client in two separate civil cases. Plant misrepresented to complainant that a landlord-tenant lawsuit was filed when it was not. She also misrepresented to the Bar that she administered free legal services to complainant when she had attempted to file a charging lien. Plant falsely testified under oath to the court during the final hearing. The referee noted Plant’s lack of candor during cross-examination. (Case No. SC2023-1582)
Larry Edward Powers, Jr., 4155 S. Atlantic Ave. Apt. 110, New Smyrna Beach, emergency suspended until further order of the Supreme Court of Florida. Powers shall accept no new clients from the date of an Aug. 14 court order and shall cease representing any clients after 30 days of the court’s order. (Admitted to practice: 1987) Powers has caused, or is likely to cause, immediate and serious harm to clients or the public by misappropriating client funds and committing fundamental trust account violations. (Case No. SC2024-1163)
Shaquandra Arita Woods, P.O. Box 7115, Jacksonville, disciplinary revocation with leave to reapply for readmission effective 30 days following an Aug. 22 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2012) On Feb. 2, 2022, Woods was indicted on four counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and other charges arising from her role in a wide-ranging COVID-19 relief fraud scheme. On December 8, 2023, Woods was found guilty by a jury of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349. The conviction is currently on appeal. (Case No. SC2024-0825)
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