Florida Bar Seeks Contempt Ruling Against Attorney Theophilos John Karaphillis for Failing to Respond to Bar Inquiry

On Friday, March 22, 2024, the Florida Bar filed a petition against attorney Theophilos John Karaphillis urging the Supreme Court of Florida to hold him in contempt for failing to respond to an official Bar inquiry.

The case is entitled “The Florida Bar v. Theophilos John Karaphillis”

As evidence, the Petition includes Exhibit 1, which is a Finding of Non-Compliance and Failure to Respond to Official Bar Inquiry and Contempt from the Sixth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee A.

The Grievance Committee found details that Karaphillis was first notified about the complaint against him on October 31, 2023, and repeatedly failed to meet deadlines to respond, despite multiple extensions granted by Bar counsel. Karaphillis failed to respond to the initial October 31st inquiry, as well as a follow up letter sent on November 21st. He subsequently requested additional extensions on December 11th and December 20th without providing a response.

As of the date of the Grievance Committee hearing on March 7th, 2024, Karaphillis still had not responded to the Bar’s inquiry regarding the complaint. The Committee found that his non-compliance was willful and not for good cause. Based on this, they determined he should be held in contempt of court and requested The Florida Bar file the Petition with the Supreme Court.

The Florida Bar is now asking the Supreme Court to suspend Karaphillis until he provides a written response to the inquiry and until further order from the Court. They are also seeking $1,250 in administrative costs from Karaphillis for his failure to respond and the need to initiate contempt proceedings.

The Petition states:

“WHEREFORE, The Florida Bar requests that this Court suspend respondent pursuant to Rule3-7.11(f) until such time as respondent fully responds in writing to the official Bar inquiry contained in“Exhibit 1”and until further order of this Court.”

According to Avvo, Mr. Karaphillis is a commercial attorney in Clearwater, Florida. He attended the Florida State University College of Law. He obtained his law license in Florida in 1988.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.