On Thursday, February 9, 2023, the Supreme Court of Florida suspended attorney Eduardo Julio Mejia for incompetence. The case is entitled “The Florida Bar v Eduardo Julio Melia” with case no. SC21-1610,
The charges cited Florida Bar Rules 4-1.1, 4-1.3, 4-1.4(a)(b), 4-3(c), and 4-8.4(d).
In a Complaint, filed on November 18, 2021, it was alleged that the respondent failed to follow the court order dated May 14, 2020, by the Orange county Circuit court ordering the respondent and his client to each pay the former’s wife’s under Florida Statute.
The filing states:
“The order further stated that the respondent did nothing in response to multiple court orders requiring action and filed no notice with the court to apprise anyone of his reasons for continuing to ignore the fees order. In addition, the respondent failed to appear for an Order to Show Cause hearing on July 1, 2019, after the petitioner filed a Motion for Contempt, requesting the judge to enforce the fees order against the respondent”
The filing continues
“Petitioner filed an Amended Motion for contempt, requesting the judge to enforce the previous fees order against the respondent, along with additional attorney’s fees for the instant motion. Another Order to Show Cause hearing was set when the respondent did not file a notice with the court that he had paid the $ 13,980.00 due to the petitioner by February 1, 2020.”
In a Second Amended Report of the Referee, filed on January 23, 2023, it was recommended that the respondent be suspended for violation of the Florida Bar Rules for his lack of diligence, competence, and abuse of the legal process.
Consistent with the factual findings of the referee and the submitted complaint, the court decided to adopt the recommendation and suspend attorney Mejia.
The Dispositon states:
“The second amended uncontested report of the referee is approved and the respondent is suspended from the practice of law for one year, effective thirty days from the date of this order so that the Respondent can close out his practice and protect the interests of existing clients. If Respondent notifies this Court in writing that he is no longer practicing and does not need the thirty days to protect existing clients, this Court will enter an order making the suspension effective immediately.”
Mr. Mejias attended the University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin Colle of Law, graduating in 1997. He practices in Altamonte Springs, Florida. He is licensed in Florida. His info can be found on martindale.com.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
