July 1, 2021 Disciplinary Actions
The Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders disciplined five attorneys, disbarring one, suspending one, revoking the licenses of one, and reprimanding two.
Ben Ira Farbstein, 4018 Sheridan St., Hollywood, public reprimand effective immediately following an April 12 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1982) Farbstein was held in contempt for failing to timely respond to inquiries of the Bar. (Case No. SC21-92)
Colleen E. Huott, 2385 NW Executive Center Drive, Suite 100, Boca Raton, disbarred, effective immediately following a May 20 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2005) Huott failed to respond to 10 grievances, two Orders to Show Cause from the Florida Supreme Court and a subpoena duces tecum. Additionally, Huott received 10 trust account overdraft notices, which the Bar could not investigate due to Huott ignoring all inquiries by the Bar. (Case No: SC21-383)
Erica Helene Kobloth, 5613 Pacific Blvd., Apt. 3307, Boca Raton, suspended for three years effective immediately following a May 19 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2012) Kobloth was held in contempt of the Court’s order dated Nov. 2, 2020, for failing to comply with Rule 3-5.1(h) requirements of notifying clients, opposing counsel and tribunals of her suspension. (Case No: SC21-432)
Beverly T. Shaw, 6865 19th St. South, St. Petersburg, public reprimand effective immediately following a May 19 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1998) Shaw was held in contempt and publicly reprimanded for failing to timely respond to official Bar inquiries. (Case No: SC21-157)
Heyward Silcox III, 22 Tulip Lane, Apt. 307, Cocoa Beach, disciplinary revocation with leave to seek readmission after five years, effective 30 days following a May 6 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2018) On or about June 26, 2020, in the United States District Court, Northern District of California, Silcox pleaded guilty to three counts of illegal importation of a controlled substance, specifically the Schedule IV narcotic Tramadol. Prior to his plea, Silcox successfully completed a chemical dependency treatment program on March 6, 2020. Silcox has also signed a two-year contract with Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc. (Case No: SC21-290)
As an official arm of the Florida Supreme Court, The Florida Bar and its Department of Lawyer Regulation are charged with administering a statewide disciplinary system to enforce Supreme Court rules of professional conduct for the more than 109,000 members of The Florida Bar. Key discipline case files that are public record are posted to attorneys’ individual online Florida Bar profiles. 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.
