On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, The Florida Bar filed a Petition for Approval of Conditional Guilty Plea for Consent Judgment with the Supreme Court of Florida regarding attorney Leroy G. Lee.
The case is entitled “The Florida Bar v. Leroy G. Lee,” with case no. 2022-70,042(11N).
Mr. Lee had been charged with violating several Rules Regulating the Florida Bar in connection with his representation of an incarcerated client, Sameer Muhammed, in June 2020. Mr. Muhammed paid Mr. Lee $500 to review his criminal case and determine the next steps, but communication from Mr. Lee was infrequent. The client believed that he hired the respondent to represent him on his criminal appeal. By contrast, the respondent believed he only agreed to review Mr. Muhammed’s criminal matter and determine a path forward for Mr Muhammed.
In the Conditional Guilty Plea, Mr. Lee admitted to violating Rules regulating diligence, communication with a client, and fees. He offered several mitigating factors including absence of dishonest motive, personal problems during the COVID-19 pandemic when some of the conduct occurred, full disclosure and cooperation with The Florida Bar investigation, and remorse.
The Conditional Guilty Plea proposed a 90-day suspension as discipline, to run concurrently with any remaining term from a prior suspension of Mr. Lee’s license in 2021. It also outlined requirements for notifying courts and clients of the suspension and ceasing practice. The Florida Bar approved the plea as allowed by court rules governing consent judgments.
In the Petition filed with the Supreme Court, the Florida Bar requested approval of the Conditional Guilty Plea and imposition of the agreed-upon discipline. If approved, the plea would resolve the matter before a formal bar complaint is filed. A decision from the Supreme Court is pending on whether to accept the plea agreement and impose the 90-day suspension on Mr. Lee’s law license.
According to avvo.com, Mr. Lee is a commercial attorney in Miami, Florida. He attended the University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law, graduating in 1996. He acquired his law license in Florida in 1997.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
