| ► Attorney Thomas Luka of Orlando; ethical goblin |
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Attorney Thomas Luka of Orlando; ethical goblin
The state of Florida provided Jonathan Thomas B. Luka with a law license in 1999.
The Florida State Bar found Thomas guilty of misconduct on at least two separate occasions as set forth below.
In one matter, Thomas was hired by Crystal Watson in a personal injury case. Thomas received advanced settlement funds from more than one non-recourse company prior to the actual settlement of Crystal’s case.
Thomas was put on notice that a non-recourse company had been granted a Security Interest and Lien regarding the anticipated settlement proceeds. Crystal had also received funds from a second non-recourse company, in regards to an Irrevocable Assignment of Proceeds, which was signed by Crystal and notarized by Thomas’ secretary.
When Crystal’s case settled, Thomas failed to prepare an accurate closing statement for her review and signature as required by the rules. The closing statement did not reference the liens held by the non-recourse companies. Thomas then provided Crystal with a check for her net settlement proceeds and took no action when notified of the first non-recourse company’s claim on the settlement proceeds. Because of Thomas’ failure to properly disburse the settlement funds to the first non-recourse company, the case went to arbitration and an award was entered against Thomas.
As a consequence of his misconduct, the enablers for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Florida Supreme Court punished Thomas by gifting him with a complimentary reprimand.
As we speak (ca. November 2012) Thomas practices with Thomas B. Luka PA at 390 North Orange Avenue in Orlando, Florida.
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