Attorney James Thomas of Palm Harbor, FL; ethical ogre

The state of Florida provided James M. Thomas with a law license in 2003 after he graduated from the University of Florida School of Law.

The Florida State Bar found Jimmy guilty of the following misconduct.

• Failed to appear at two properly noticed pre-trial conferences on behalf of his clients involving damage to their condominium
• Failure to appear at pre-trial conferences, the trial court dismissed the client’s lawsuit
• Trial court ruled that Jimmy’s failure to appear to the pre-trial conferences constitute more than excusable neglect
• Consequence of dismissal of client’s condo case led to them recovering nothing and being required to pay Tommy $30,563.10 in attorney fees
• Tommy subsequently filed a new lawsuit on behalf of his clients regarding the condo matter but failed to prosecute it on their behalf
• Knowingly violated a court order (Screw you, said Jimmy!)

As a direct consequence of his misconduct, the apologists for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Florida Supreme Court punished Jimmy by gifting him with a complimentary 1-year suspension of his law license effective December 2020 and assessed ethics investigative costs of $4,194.24.  

As we speak (ca. May 2021), Jimmy will resume his so-called practice of law with the Law Office of James M. Thomas at 36181 East Lake Road in Palm Harbor, Florida in November 2021.