On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, The Florida Bar filed a petition with the Supreme Court of Florida, requesting that attorney Thomas Lee Hunker be held in contempt and ordered to show cause for failing to respond to an official bar inquiry.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Thomas Lee Hunker,” with case number 2026-50,115(17I)OSC.
The petition, filed under Rule 3-7.11(f) of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, cites Hunker’s non-compliance with multiple requests for a written response to a bar complaint.
According to the petition, The Florida Bar first notified Hunker of the complaint on April 10, 2025, via a letter sent by regular U.S. Mail to his record bar address, requesting a response by April 25, 2025. Hunker did not reply. A second letter was sent on May 2, 2025, to his record bar address and email, with a response due by May 12, 2025. Again, no response was received. On June 24, 2025, the bar sent another letter via email to Hunker’s record bar email and a previously listed email address, setting a deadline of July 7, 2025. Hunker still failed to respond.
On July 9, 2025, Hunker emailed bar counsel requesting an extra day to respond, and counsel granted an extension until July 11, 2025. However, Hunker did not provide the requested response. On July 18, 2025, the bar notified Hunker via email of a Grievance Committee 17I hearing scheduled for July 30, 2025, to address his non-compliance. Hunker did not respond to the notice or attend the hearing.
On July 31, 2025, Grievance Committee 17I found Hunker’s failure to respond willful and issued a Finding of Non-Compliance and Failure to Respond to Official Bar Inquiry and Contempt. The committee requested that The Florida Bar file the contempt petition. The finding was hand-delivered to Hunker’s record bar address on August 12, 2025.
The Florida Bar is seeking Hunker’s suspension until he fully responds to the inquiry and further court orders. Additionally, the bar requests $1,250 in administrative costs, stating that other bar members should not bear the financial burden of Hunker’s non-compliance.
According to Avvo, Mr. Hunker is an appeals Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He acquired his law license in Florida in 2007.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
