Florida Bar Seeks Contempt Order Against Attorney Claudia M.E. Atkinson

On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, The Florida Bar filed a petition for contempt and order to show cause in the Supreme Court of Florida against attorney Claudia M.E. Atkinson, also known as Claudia M.E. Parsons.

The case is entitled “The Florida Bar v. Claudia M.E. Atkinson,” with case no. 2026-90,033(OSC).

The petition stems from Atkinson’s alleged failure to comply with a prior order of the court issued on January 9, 2025, in Florida Supreme Court Case No. SC2024-0940. In that order, Atkinson was suspended from practicing law for three years, effective January 9, 2025.

According to the petition, the suspension order required Atkinson to comply with Rule 3-5.1(h) of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. This rule mandates that a suspended attorney notify their clients, opposing counsel, tribunals, and all state, federal, and administrative bars of which they are a member of their suspension. Atkinson was also required to provide an affidavit to The Florida Bar within 30 days of the suspension, listing the names and addresses of all persons and entities to whom she furnished a copy of the suspension order.

The Florida Bar alleges that Atkinson failed to submit the required affidavit. They claim that on January 10, 2025, they notified Atkinson of the conditions of her suspension via her record bar address and email address, specifically the requirement to submit the affidavit, but the email was undeliverable. A follow-up notification was sent on June 13, 2025, with the same result. The Bar states it is unaware if Atkinson notified the appropriate parties of her suspension.

The petition states:

“The bar respectfully requests this Court enter an order directing respondent, Claudia M. E. Atkinson, to show cause why Claudia M.E. Atkinson A/K/A Claudia M.E. Parsons should not be held in contempt and be disbarred and assess costs in the amount of $1,250.00 to The Florida Bar.”

According to Avvo.com, Ms. Atkinson is an attorney in Fort Myers, Florida. She attended the University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law, graduating in 2011. She acquired her law license in Florida in 2012.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.