On Thursday, October 9, 2025, the Florida Supreme Court approved the uncontested report of the referee, leading to a six-month suspension for attorney Manisha Maraj, effective 30 days from the order date. The suspension stems from reciprocal discipline proceedings initiated by The Florida Bar following disciplinary actions against Maraj in the Southern District of Florida. The Supreme Court also ordered Maraj to pay $2,117.50 in costs to The Florida Bar.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Manisha Maraj,” with case number SC2024-1674.
The referee’s report detailed the series of events that led to the disciplinary action. The case originated from Maraj’s representation of Omari Lindon Shakir George in a federal criminal matter, U.S. v. Omari Lindon Shakir George, Case No. 21-CR-80103-DMM. The central issue was Maraj’s failure to appear for George’s sentencing hearing on March 24, 2022, and the circumstances surrounding this absence.
According to the report, Maraj had notified the Assistant United States Attorney of her intent to request a continuance a few days before the sentencing. However, she did not formally file a motion for continuance. On March 23, 2022, at approximately 2:30 pm the afternoon before the sentencing, Maraj contacted Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks’ chambers, citing illness and her intention to request rescheduling. She was instructed to file a formal motion as soon as possible. Judge Middlebrooks’ chambers followed up with an email confirming the conversation and reiterating that the sentencing would proceed as scheduled unless a motion to continue was filed. Maraj replied, stating a motion would be filed shortly, but no motion was filed that day.
On the morning of the sentencing, March 24, Judge Middlebrooks’ chambers emailed all counsel again, noting the absence of a motion and confirming that the defendant had been brought to the courthouse. Maraj did not respond. At the 11:00 a.m. hearing, Maraj was absent. Upon telephonic inquiry by Judge Middlebrooks, Maraj claimed illness and stated she had just filed a motion to continue. However, a review of the docket revealed no such filing at the time of her statement. Maraj also admitted she had not met with her client to review the Presentence Investigation Report (PSI). The motion to continue was eventually filed at 11:09 a.m., after the telephonic appearance. These events prompted Judge Middlebrooks to refer Maraj to the Ad Hoc Committee on Attorney Admissions.
The Committee’s investigation revealed inconsistencies in Maraj’s statements. For example, Maraj claimed she was sick with COVID-19 after returning from a week-long trip to Philadelphia the day before the sentencing. However, travel records showed the trip was only three days long and she had returned five days before the hearing. She also stated that she had reviewed the PSI with her client over the phone, but her client denied this in open court.
Based on these findings, the Committee determined Maraj violated the Rules of Professional Conduct, including competence, diligence, communication, and candor. The Southern District of Florida subsequently issued an order accepting the Committee’s findings and imposing disciplinary measures, including a prohibition from taking new cases in the Southern District for six months, mentorship, ethics CLE, and self-reporting requirements.
The Florida Bar’s complaint further alleged violations of rules regarding misconduct, violating the Rules of Professional Conduct, dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. The referee agreed with these additional violations, citing Maraj’s lack of candor and misrepresentations. The referee also noted that regardless of whether the Southern District deemed the discipline a “suspension,” the fact remained that Maraj was disciplined, triggering Rule 3-4.6 regarding discipline by a federal jurisdiction.
The referee considered aggravating factors, including a pattern of misconduct, multiple offenses, submission of false statements, and refusal to acknowledge the wrongful nature of the conduct. Mitigating factors included the absence of a prior disciplinary record, personal or emotional problems (indicated by Maraj’s FLA contract), cooperation with The Florida Bar, a substance-related disorder, and the federal court’s prior sanctions.
According to Avvo, Ms. Maraj is a criminal defense lawyer in Boca Raton, Florida. She acquired her law license in Florida in 2015.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
