On Monday, January 26, 2026, The Florida Bar filed a formal complaint against attorney Roderick Ford with the Supreme Court of Florida, seeking reciprocal discipline based on actions taken against Ford in the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida. The Florida Bar alleges that Ford’s conduct warrants disciplinary action in Florida, citing suspensions and other sanctions imposed by federal courts.
The case is entitled “The Florida Bar v. Roderick Ford,” with case no. 2026-00,095(13B).
The complaint details the circumstances surrounding Ford’s disciplinary issues in the Middle District, stemming from a case where U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr., referred Ford to the Grievance Committee on September 26, 2023. The referral order cited Ford’s conduct in his representation of a plaintiff in a case, specifically his handling of expert witnesses and discovery.
The complaint states that Ford failed to hire and disclose a police practices expert during discovery, which the court deemed necessary to prove the plaintiff’s excessive force claim. After the defense disclosed new video evidence, Ford sought to disclose a forensic videographer as an expert, leading to disputes over the scope of expert testimony. The court ultimately clarified that Ford was only permitted to engage a police practice expert. Ford then missed the extended deadline to disclose his expert’s report by ten days.
The Florida Bar alleges that Ford made unprofessional and unfounded accusations against the court in a motion to vacate and reconsider the court’s order. These accusations included claims that the court did not articulate reasons for its decision, that the court’s ruling was oppressive to indigent litigants, and that the court callously disregarded particular law and facts.
The court denied Ford’s motion, reiterating that the plaintiff was never granted leave to retain a forensic videographer. The court then struck expert reports submitted by Ford as a “flagrant violation” of the court’s orders. Ford was ordered to show cause why sanctions should not be imposed.
The complaint further alleges that Ford’s conduct was not a first-time offense, citing a previous order to show cause issued by Judge Mendoza. The Grievance Committee’s investigation revealed a pattern of failing to follow rules and levying unfounded accusations of racial bias or discrimination against judges and opposing counsel.
The Grievance Committee found Ford in violation of multiple Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, including competence, meritorious claims and contentions, diligence, fairness to opposing party and counsel, and misconduct for conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.
The United States District Court Judge issued an order on June 6, 2025, finding clear and convincing evidence that Ford engaged in misconduct and decreed sanctions of at least an eighteen-month suspension with conditions. Ford then filed numerous motions, notices, and other documents challenging the Local Rules and disciplinary proceedings.
The Florida Bar also cites Ford’s suspension in the Southern District of Florida, based on the Middle District’s order and Ford’s failure to respond to attempts to serve him with an order to show cause. The Florida Bar requests that Ford be appropriately disciplined and that the bar be awarded its costs.
The complaint states:
“The Florida Bar respectfully requests that the respondent be appropriately disciplined in accordance with the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar and that the bar be awarded its costs under R. Regulating Fla. Bar 3-7.6(q).”
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Ford is a discrimination attorney in Gainesville, Florida. He acquired his law license in Florida in 1996.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
