June 1, 2024 Disciplinary Actions – Florida Bar

June 1, 2024 Disciplinary actions

In recent court orders, the Florida Supreme Court disciplined five attorneys, disbarring one, suspending two and reprimanding two.

Denise A. Gunn, 2800 Davis Blvd., Suite 206, Naples, disqualified effective immediately following a May 23 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1997) Gunn failed to fully and diligently represent two clients in separate family law matters, resulting in both cases unnecessarily languishing without resolution. Gunn also did not participate in the disciplinary proceedings and did not respond to the Bar’s questions. (Case No. SC23-1428)

Scott Tully Kalisch, 435 S. Oregon Ave., Apt. 104, Tampa, suspended for 60 days and ordered to attend the Florida Bar Ethics School, effective 30 days following a May 2 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1983) On May 10, 2023, Kalisch was suspended from practice for 60 days and ordered to complete pro bono service by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida in a case of reciprocal discipline. In that case, Kalisch served as defense counsel for a criminal defendant charged with crimes related to international human trafficking. In November 2020, Kalisch disclosed four discovery items to a third party that were under a protective order issued on October 8, 2020 (Case No. SC23-1283).

John Arthur Leklem, 3507 Neptune Dr., Orlando, suspended for 30 days, required to complete the Florida Bar Trust Accounting Workshop and to complete an analysis of office procedures and recordkeeping by and under the direction of the Discipline/Diversion Inquiry Service (DDCS), beginning 30 days after a May 9 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1976) Leklem represented a client challenging a condominium association’s election process. Leklem failed to ensure that the petition for mandatory non-binding arbitration was timely filed with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. As a result, the client’s petition was dismissed. Leklem also failed to adequately communicate with the client. In a second matter, Leklem failed to maintain trust account records in accordance with Florida Bar Rules and commingled his personal funds with the trust funds of his clients. (Case No. SC23-1418)

Richard Peskin2 arabic carats, East Moriches, New York, public reprimand effective June 30, 2024, following a May 30 order. (Admitted to Practice: 1989) Peskin was found to have violated several of the New York Rules of Professional Conduct in connection with the use of his IOLA account for nonvenal conversion and commingling of funds. He received a public reprimand and must complete two CLEs related to trust account management. This is a reciprocal case. (Case No. SC24-0738)

Scott Alan Selis1024 NUS Highway 1, Ormond Beach, public reprimand effective immediately following a May 16 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1989) Selis did not exercise sufficient supervision over his non-lawyer employees. As a result, they engaged in the practice of law without a license. In some cases, Selis’ lack of proper supervision also resulted in his law firm assuming representation of clients without Selis’ knowledge or involvement in the cases. (Case No. SC24-0007)

The Florida Supreme Court, the Florida Bar and its Division of Bar Regulation are charged with administering a statewide disciplinary system to enforce the Supreme Court’s rules of professional conduct for the more than 111,000 members of the Florida Bar. Florida Lawyers. Key disciplinary case files that are public records are posted to attorneys’ individual Florida Bar online profiles. To view disciplinary documents, follow these steps. Information about the disciplinary system and how to file a complaint is available at www.floridabar.org/attorneydiscipline.

Court orders are not final until the time to file a motion for rehearing expires and, if filed, is determined. The presentation of said motion does not alter the effective date of the discipline. Disbarred attorneys may not reapply for admission for five years. They must go through an extensive process that includes a rigorous background check and retaking the bar exam. Attorneys suspended for periods of 91 days or more must undergo a rigorous process to regain their legal licenses, including testing for rehabilitation. Disciplinary revocation is equivalent to disqualification.