The Florida Bar has initiated a significant legal move against attorney Mark D. Siegel, filing a petition for contempt and an order to show cause before the Supreme Court of Florida on Monday, August 28, 2023.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Mark D. Siegel,” with case no. 2024-90,002(OSC).
The charges cited Rules regulating the Florida Bar 3-4.3, 4-1.1, 4-1.3, 4-1.4, 4-3.2, 4-3.4(c), 4-3.4(d), 4-8.1(b), 4-8.4(a), 4-8.4(d), and 4-8.4(g).
On March 2, 2023, the Supreme Court of Florida suspended attorney Siegel for his failure to respond to an arbitration petition filed against him. The case originated from a complaint against Siegel due to his failure to address an arbitration petition and his intentional evasion of process service in the enforcement action. Additionally, he evaded being served in a legal malpractice lawsuit that accused him of negligence, inadequate communication, and incompetence. Furthermore, Siegel neglected to respond to multiple official bar inquiries, leading to his contempt citation and subsequent suspension.
On June 7, 2022, Siegel submitted his response along with affirmative defenses. In this filing, he both acknowledged and refuted specific aspects of the allegations. A report from the referee, dated December 12, 2022, advised the court to consider the complaint against Siegel and recommended a verdict of guilt along with a suspension.
The report states:
“I recommend, based highly upon the Bar’s recommendation, that respondent be found guilty of misconduct justifying disciplinary measures, and that be disciplined by: A. Three-year suspension; B. Payment of The Florida Bar’s costs in these proceedings; Respondent will eliminate all indicia of respondent’s status as an attorney on email, social media, telephone listings, stationery, checks, business cards, office signs or any other indicia of respondent’s status as an attorney, whatsoever Respondent will no longer hold himself out as a licensed attorney until further order of the court.”
In relation to this, on August 28, 2023, The Florida Bar took a decisive step by submitting a petition for contempt and order to show cause, seeking disbarment as a consequence of Siegel’s alleged failure to comply with a previous court order.
In the petition, the Florida Bar emphasizes that noncompliance with a court order can lead to enhanced disciplinary actions. The petition also seeks administrative costs of $1,250 against Siegel, contending that other members of the bar should not bear the financial burden of his non-compliance.
The request states:
“The bar respectfully requests this Court enter an order directing respondent, Mark D. Siegel, to show cause why he should not be held in contempt and be disbarred, comply with the terms of this Court’s order in SC22-0594 prior to applying for readmission, and assess costs in the amount of $1,250.00 to The Florida Bar.”
According to Avvo, Mr. Siegel is a litigation attorney in Sarasota, Florida. He attended the Georgetown University Law Center, graduating in 1980. He acquired his law license in Florida in 1983.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
