Florida Bar Files Complaint Against Attorney John William Black for Ignoring Official Inquiries

On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, The Florida Bar filed a complaint with the Supreme Court of Florida against Attorney John William Black. The complaint alleges that Black failed to respond to multiple official inquiries from bar counsel, violating the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, which mandates written responses to disciplinary inquiries.

The case is entitled “The Florida Bar v. John William Black,” with case no. 2022-00,372(2A).

The case originated from a complaint filed by James Long, received by the Florida Bar’s Attorney Consumer Assistance Program. Black was required to respond by March 16, 2022, but requested and received extensions until April 8, 2022. He submitted his response on April 9, 2022. On June 30, 2022, the matter was referred to the Tallahassee Branch Office for further investigation.

Subsequent requests for additional information were sent to Black on August 19, 2022, with a response due by September 1, 2022. Black secured extensions until October 5, 2022, but failed to respond to follow-up letters sent on October 13, 2022, and April 21, 2023, requesting responses by October 24, 2022, and May 1, 2023, respectively. In June 2023, the matter was referred to the grievance committee.

Further notices were sent to Black requiring him to contact the assigned investigating member by August 13, September 17, and December 15, 2023, respectively. On February 21, 2024, the investigating member requested additional information by March 15, 2024, but Black did not respond in writing. A final notice on April 22, 2024, allowed Black until April 30, 2024, to submit a written statement for the grievance committee review, which he also failed to provide.

Following these failures, the Florida Bar has requested that the Supreme Court impose appropriate disciplinary measures.

The complaint states:

“The Florida Bar respectfully requests that this Court appropriately discipline respondent under the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar.”

According to Avvo.com, Mr Black is a medical malpractice attorney in Tallahassee, Florida. He attended the Florida State University College of Law. He acquired his law license in Florida in 1988. 

A copy of the original filing can be found here.