On Monday, September 30, 2024, The Florida Bar filed a complaint before the Supreme Court of Florida against attorney Shelly K. Thomas.
The case is entitled “The Florida Bar v. Shelly K. Thomas,” with case no. 2023-00,524(3).
The charges cited Rules Regulating the Florida Bar 4-1.3, 4-1.4, and 4-8.1(a).
The complaint alleges Thomas neglected a client’s divorce case that began in April 2021. According to the complaint, Melissa Hancock retained and paid Thomas $4,000 to represent her in dissolving her marriage. Hancock claims over the next two years she struggled to get updates from Thomas on the status of her case.
The complaint states Hancock repeatedly tried contacting Thomas through calls and texts to get information. In some instances, Thomas told Hancock that scheduled hearings had been canceled without providing new dates. It was not until April 2023 that Hancock received a forwarded message from the respondent’s assistant, with an attachment of a Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA).
The final judgment dissolving Hancock’s marriage was ultimately issued in April 2024, roughly three years after she first retained Thomas. However, the complaint alleges during this time Thomas failed to properly communicate with Hancock and did not show adequate diligence in progressing the divorce case.
In her response to the complaint, Thomas claims she changed her phone number in March 2023 due to alleged death threats. But the Florida Bar asserts Thomas’ original number remained active until at least November 2023.
The complaint charges Thomas with violating Florida Bar Rules governing diligence, communication, and duties regarding disciplinary proceedings. It requests the Florida Supreme Court appropriately discipline Thomas.
According to avvo.com, Ms. Thomas is a family attorney in Tallahassee, Florida. She attended the Florida State University College of Law. She acquired her law license in Florida in 2005.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
