August 1, 2025 Disciplinary Actions
The Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders disciplined eight attorneys, revoking the license of two, suspending five, and reprimanding one.
Marie Delapena, P.O. Box 135184, Clermont, suspended due to a felony conviction effective 30 days following a July 9 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2019) On or about June 20, 2025, a jury in a federal criminal proceeding found Delapena guilty of 15 felony counts of Wire Fraud and 22 felony counts of Bank Fraud. Delapena’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 3, 2025. The Supreme Court of Florida has ordered that a referee recommend the appropriate disciplinary sanction for Delapena’s criminal misconduct. (Case No. SC2024-1812)
Michael B. Halla, 187 Rolling Ct., Lancaster, TX, interim felony suspension effective 30 days following a July 14 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2017) Halla was convicted of two counts of Criminally Negligent Homicide in Ellis Co. Texas Case Nos. 49466CR and 49465CR. (Case No. SC2025-1005)
Zachary A. Harrington, 1203 E New Orleans Ave., Suite B, Tampa, emergency suspension effective August 18, per a July 18 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2007) Harrington misappropriated settlement proceeds belonging to a client. Harrington represented a client at mediation which resulted in a $20,000 settlement, $14,000 for the client and $6,000 for Harrington’s legal fees. Harrington confirmed receipt and deposit of the funds and failed to respond to his client’s repeated requests for the disbursement of the settlement proceeds. (Case No. SC2025-0990)
Xenia Hernández, 6923 NW 77th Ave. Miami, disciplinary revocation with leave to seek readmission effective immediately following a July 24 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2017) The Florida Supreme Court granted Hernández’s Petition for Disciplinary Revocation with Leave to Apply for Readmission after Five Years following trust accounting shortages ranging from $169,000 to $381,000. (Case Nos. SC2025-0732, SC2025-0556)
Elliot Ari Kozolchyk, 800 NE 62nd St., Suite 421, Fort Lauderdale, public reprimand to be administered by appearance before the referee, Professionalism Workshop, and one year probation with conditions, effective immediately following a July 10 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2009) Kozolchyk was referred to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida Ad Hoc Committee on Attorney Admissions, Peer Review and Attorney Grievance by two federal judges regarding his conduct in certain “last paycheck” cases. Kozolchyk delayed the resolution of the cases by refusing to settle his attorney’s fees in proportion to the amount the underlying claim was worth. Kozolchyk was placed on probation by the federal Ad Hoc Committee. (Case No. SC2024-1691)
Alexa Martinez, 11945 SW 81st St., Miami, suspended for 90 days effective 30 days following a June 19 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2016) The court found that Martinez obstructed another party’s access to evidence, filed frivolous assertions in her filings, disobeyed an obligation under the rules of the tribunal, and, ultimately, determined her dishonest conduct caused prejudice to the administration of justice. (Case No. SC2023-0421)
Brad Ira Schandler, 3440 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 415, Hollywood, disciplinary revocation with leave to apply for readmission effective 30 days following a July 3 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 1983) Schandler petitioned for disciplinary revocation after he was accused of conducting multiple public foreclosure auctions in unusual ways that enabled Schandler, and his clients, to obtain ownership of the foreclosed properties for a payment which, in most instances, would be less than the properties would have sold for at a typical foreclosure auction conducted online. (Case No. SC2025-0676)
Bruce E. Warner, 5851 Holmberg Rd., Apt. 621, Parkland, suspended for 10 days effective 30 days following a June 26 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 1983) Warner failed to diligently pursue the client’s legal objectives and did not keep the client reasonably informed about the status of their case. (Case No. SC2025-0046)
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.
