On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, The Florida Bar filed a petition for indirect criminal contempt with the Supreme Court of Florida against attorney Elizabeth Hidalgo for allegedly providing legal services without a license in Miami-Dade County.
The case is entitled “The Florida Bar v. Elizabeth Hidalgo,” with case no. 20244074(11D).
Hidalgo, who is not a member of the Florida Bar and is not authorized to practice law in Florida, has been subject to prior court orders prohibiting such activities. In 2004, the Florida Supreme Court issued a permanent injunction in The Florida Bar v. Hidalgo (888 So.2d 624), barring her from engaging in the unlicensed practice of law. This order was reinforced in 2014, when Hidalgo was found guilty of indirect criminal contempt for violating the 2004 injunction. She was placed on probation, fined, ordered to pay restitution, and further enjoined from practicing law. In 2021, another permanent injunction was issued against Hidalgo and Latin Community Services, Inc., an inactive Florida corporation, in case SC21-1264, again prohibiting unlicensed legal practice.
According to the petition, Hidalgo’s alleged violations stem from her interactions with Miguel Angel Fernandez, beginning on December 9, 2021. Fernandez met Hidalgo at her office in Hialeah, Florida, where they entered into a written agreement. Hidalgo was paid $1,500 to obtain Fernandez’s criminal and immigration records, which she subsequently provided. On May 23, 2022, Hidalgo offered to prepare a document for Fernandez’s immigration case for $3,500, which he paid. She prepared a “Motion to Reopen Based on a Change in the Law” for filing with the Immigration Court, which was submitted on June 2, 2022. The court denied the motion on July 6, 2022.
On July 21, 2022, Hidalgo offered to assist Fernandez with an appeal of the Immigration Court’s decision. She prepared a Form EOIR-26 Notice of Appeal and a “Brief in Support of Appeal [of] the Immigration Judge’s Denial of the Motion to Reopen Based on a Change in the Law,” both filed with the Board of Immigration Appeals on July 25, 2022. On September 21, 2022, Hidalgo prepared another “Brief in Support of Appeal,” filed two days later. Fernandez relied on Hidalgo to properly draft these documents, believing she was an immigration attorney or otherwise qualified to provide legal services. The Board of Immigration Appeals dismissed Fernandez’s appeal on December 5, 2022.
The petition states that Fernandez, in his phone contacts, listed Hidalgo as “Immigration Lawyer Liz” and believed she was competent to handle his legal matters. On November 24, 2023, Fernandez informed Hidalgo via text that he was retaining an attorney and demanded a refund. On November 27, 2023, they signed an agreement in which Hidalgo refunded Fernandez $4,000, and he agreed not to seek further compensation.
The Florida Bar alleges that Hidalgo’s actions, including holding herself out as an attorney, drafting legal documents, and collecting fees for legal services, violated the court’s prior orders. The petition requests that the Supreme Court issue an order compelling Hidalgo to appear and show cause why she should not be held in contempt. It also seeks to have her sentenced under Rule 10-7.2 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar and to cover the costs of the proceedings.
The petition states:
“WHEREFORE, Petitioner prays as follows: That this Court issue an order to show cause compelling Respondent Elizabeth Hidalgo to appear before the Court and show cause why she should not be held in indirect criminal contempt for violating this Court’s direct orders.”
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
