Florida Bar Files Petition for Contempt Against Attorney Mark Aaron Sobocienski for Violating Suspension Order

On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, the Florida Bar filed a Petition for Contempt and Order to Show Cause against attorney Mark Aaron Sobocienski with the Supreme Court of Florida.

The case is entitled “The Florida Bar v. Mark Aaron Sobocienski,” with case no. 2024-70,567 (11C)(OSC).

According to the petition, Sobocienski was suspended indefinitely from the practice of law effective April 3, 2024, by order of the Supreme Court. The court’s order stated that Sobocienski shall accept no new business from the date of the order until reinstated. However, the Florida Bar alleges that Sobocienski violated this order on multiple occasions.

On March 13, 2024, Sobocienski appeared at a hearing representing a new client, Latonia Washington, in a case called Wojciech Szczepanki a/k/a Voytek Szczepanki and Henry J. Johnson vs. Latonia Washington. At the hearing, Sobocienski told the court he had just been retained by Washington the previous day for the purpose of the hearing.

It was later discovered during the hearing that Sobocienski was under suspension by the Supreme Court’s March 4, 2024 order. When asked by the court if he was suspended, Sobocienski claimed he was not ineligible to practice law, stating it only involved attorney’s fees. However, the court confirmed that Sobocienski was ordered not to accept any new clients.

In addition to representing a new client, the petition alleges Sobocienski failed to file an affidavit required by the Florida Bar rules regarding his suspension. Sobocienski also became delinquent for failing to pay $1,250 in costs from his disciplinary proceeding.

The petition states:

“WHEREFORE, the bar respectfully requests this Court enter an order directing Mark Aaron Sobocienski to show cause why he should not be held in contempt of this Court’s March 4, 2024 order and why he should not be disbarred.”

According to avvo.com, Mr. Sobocienski is a litigation attorney in Miami, Florida. He attended the St. Thomas University School of Law, graduating in 2008. He acquired his law license in Florida in
the same year.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.