On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, The Florida Bar filed a formal complaint with the Supreme Court of Florida against attorney Christopher John Atcachunas. The complaint alleges that Atcachunas violated conduct rules in his representation of two clients.
The case is entitled “The Florida Bar v. Christopher John Atcachunas,” with case no. 2023-30,122 (09A); 2023- 0,693(09A).
The charges cited Rules Regulating the Florida Bar 4-1.3, 4-1.4(a), 4-1.4(b), and 4-8.4(c).
In the first case, Atcachunas was hired in December 2020 by a client, referred to as Ms. Tawfiq, to handle a child support modification matter. Atcachunas filed an initial motion which was denied, but then failed to timely file a petition for modification over the next year despite urging from the client.
The complaint claims Atcachunas did not adequately communicate with Ms. Tawfiq, who made numerous attempts to contact him about the status of her case. In May 2022, over a year after being hired, Atcachunas finally prepared the modification petition but did not file it with the court. He continued to promise the client he would file it but never did. In August 2022, Atcachunas gave the case file back to Ms. Tawfiq and withdrew from representing her.
In the second matter, Atcachunas was hired in February 2018 by a client, referred to as Mr. Morizio, to sue a party who had not paid for auto repair work. The complaint alleges Atcachunas told Mr. Morizio he would file the lawsuit right away. However, over the next four years, Atcachunas did not file the case and gave Mr. Morizio inaccurate status updates, indicating the case was ongoing when it had not been filed.
The Florida Bar complaint claims Atcachunas’ actions in both matters constituted a lack of diligence, failure to communicate with clients, failure to explain matters to allow clients to make informed decisions, and misrepresentation. It accuses Atcachunas of violating several Rules Regulating The Florida Bar including rules regarding diligence, communication with clients, explaining matters to clients, and prohibiting dishonest conduct.
Atcachunas has been notified of the complaint and the mandatory requirement to file a response. A disciplinary hearing will be scheduled if the case proceeds. The Florida Bar is seeking an appropriate punishment against Atcachunas’ law license pursuant to bar rules.
According to avvo.com, Atcachunas is a criminal defense attorney in Winter Park, Florida. He attended the Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law, graduating in 2006. He acquired his law license in Florida in the same year.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
