The Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders disciplined 12 attorneys, suspending six, disbarring four, reprimanding one and ordering disciplinary revocation for one.

Mary Michele Hudson, 4440 PGA Boulevard, Suite 600, Palm Beach Gardens, suspended for 91 days as of July 8 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2011) Hudson was held in contempt of the court’s order dated February 2, 2022, for failing to comply with Rule 3-5.1(h) requirements of notifying clients, opposing counsel and tribunals of her suspension. (Case No: SC22-684)

Joseph Scott Lanford, 3159 Alzante Circle, Suite 102, Melbourne, suspended for three years effective 30 days following an August 25 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1984) Lanford met with a 78-year-old woman in 2015 because, according to respondent, she wished to amend her revocable living trust and change the lawyer for her trust. The client’s revocable living trust had assets of approximately $3.5 million. Lanford drafted an amended revocable living trust for her that named him as co-trustee with her while she was alive and trustee after her death. He also drafted a power of attorney that named him as her power of attorney. There was no written fee agreement with the client and there is no documentation advising the client of the desirability of seeking the advice of independent legal counsel. Lanford engaged in conflict of interest and self-dealing in regard to a revocable living trust matter for an elderly client. (Case No: SC21-1008)

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