On Wednesday, July 9, 2025, the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department suspended attorney Bruce Jacobs from the practice of law for six months, commencing August 8, 2025.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Bruce Jacobs,” with case number 2023-08805.
The suspension stems from disciplinary action taken against Jacobs by the Supreme Court of Florida on June 8, 2023. In that proceeding, the Florida court found that Jacobs had violated the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar by impugning the qualifications and integrity of judges.
The disciplinary action in Florida arose from three separate incidents involving Jacobs’ representation of clients in foreclosure cases. In the first case, HSBC Bank v. Aquasol Condominium Association, Inc., Jacobs failed to acknowledge or cite a controlling adverse decision when appealing a final judgment of foreclosure. In his motion papers, Jacobs made several statements criticizing the court’s opinion and accusing judges of intentionally benefiting “bad corporate citizens” and being “traitors to the constitution.”
In the second case, Bank of New York Mellon v. Atkin, Jacobs made statements in his response to a writ of prohibition, alleging that a named circuit court judge had acted with “blatant disregard for the rule of law” and that the Florida Supreme Court had “repeatedly declined to protect the constitutional rights of foreclosure defendants.”
In the third case, also involving Bank of New York Mellon v. Atkin, Jacobs filed a motion for judicial disqualification, claiming that the presiding judge, Judge Michael A. Hanzman, had demonstrated “indifference to large financial institutions presenting false evidence” and that the judge’s personal financial investments in the financial services sector would impact his impartiality.
After hearings, a Special Referee in Florida found that Jacobs had violated the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar and recommended a 90-day suspension with automatic reinstatement, a two-year probationary period, and the payment of costs. However, the Supreme Court of Florida ultimately imposed a 91-day suspension and ordered Jacobs to pay $10,671.75 in costs.
Following the Florida ruling, the New York Grievance Committee filed a notice to initiate reciprocal disciplinary proceedings against Jacobs.
In response to the New York court’s order to show cause, Jacobs claimed that the actions taken against him were retaliatory and violated his First Amendment rights. He also filed a motion to dismiss the reciprocal proceedings, asserting that they constituted a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP).
However, the New York court found Jacobs’ arguments unconvincing, stating that his actions in Florida warranted reciprocal discipline. The court’s ruling included stipulations for Jacobs regarding his conduct during the suspension period, and he will not be eligible for reinstatement before January 8, 2026. The court ordered him to comply with regulations governing disbarred or suspended attorneys during this time.
According to Avvo, Mr. Jacobs is a foreclosure lawyer in Miami, Florida. He acquired his law license in New York in 1997.
