The Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders disciplined 19 attorneys, disbarring three, revoking the licenses of three, suspending 12 and reprimanding one. One attorney was placed on probation and two must pay restitution.

Rita Horwitz Altman, 215 S. Olive Ave., Suite 200, West Palm Beach, suspended for three years and probation for two years thereafter effective immediately following a December 17 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1992) Altman represented an immigration client in an asylum claim. The client provided critical evidence to Altman, who failed to add it to the asylum claim and to the court during the final hearing. Altman’s negligence, incompetence, lack of diligence and failure to be forthright with the court when asked about the evidence resulted in the denial of the asylum claim. (Case No: SC20-848)

Jean Bernard Chery, 1221 W. Colonial Drive, Suite 201, Orlando, disciplinary revocation with leave to seek readmission after five years effective 30 days following a November 25 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2009) Chery improperly made disbursements to himself from his trust account. He also received settlement funds in several personal injury matters and disbursed attorney’s fees to himself before clients signed settlement statements and in amounts greater than he was entitled to. Chery deposited funds into the trust account to replenish the shortages but failed to notify the Bar’s Lawyer Regulation Department of the shortages, their cause, or the amount of the replenishments. (Case No: SC20-1323)