On Friday, September 26, 2025, The Florida Bar filed a complaint against attorney David Andrew Taylor, III, with the Supreme Court of Florida, alleging professional misconduct. The complaint accuses Taylor of failing to provide competent and diligent representation to a criminal defense client and of inadequate communication.
The case is entitled “The Florida Bar v. David Andrew Taylor, III,” with case no. 2024-00,182(4A).
According to the complaint, Lionell Bates and his aunt, Loretta Bates, hired Taylor on December 20, 2020, to review Lionell Bates’ criminal case, paying $2,500 for the service. Following the case review, Taylor allegedly advised Bates in a June 10, 2021, letter to file a 3.850 Motion for Ineffective Assistance of Counsel, quoting a flat fee of $8,000 to draft, file, and potentially present the motion. The Florida Bar alleges Taylor failed to inform Bates that the two-year deadline to file such a motion had already expired on May 18, 2021.
The complaint further states that despite the expired deadline, Bates, his aunt, and his brother, Lenard Bates, signed a second agreement on June 21, 2021, and paid Taylor $8,000 to proceed with the 3.850 post-conviction relief motion. Taylor filed the motion on September 30, 2021, without seeking leave of the court to file it late or to have it accepted as timely. The court subsequently denied the motion on March 4, 2022, citing its untimeliness.
The Florida Bar asserts that Taylor’s actions violated Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, specifically Rule 4-1.1 concerning competence, Rule 4-1.3 regarding diligence, Rule 4-1.4(b) mandating clear communication with clients, and Rule 4-8.4(a) prohibiting violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
The complaint states:
“The Florida Bar respectfully requests that this Court appropriately discipline the respondent under the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar.”
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Taylor III acquired his law license in Florida in 1997.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
