On Friday, September 5, 2025, The Florida Bar filed a petition for emergency suspension against attorney Michael Alexander Hurckes with the Supreme Court of Florida. The petition seeks Hurckes’ immediate suspension from practicing law in Florida, citing that he has caused, or is likely to cause, immediate and serious harm to clients or the public.
The Florida Bar’s petition is supported by a sworn affidavit from staff investigator Angel Taylor, along with exhibits including nineteen sworn Inquiry/Complaints. Also included is an Opinion and Order from U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell, which found Hurckes’ excuses in a prior case to be unconvincing.
The investigation conducted by The Florida Bar involved interviews with numerous clients who had filed complaints against Hurckes. The investigation revealed a pattern of misconduct, with clients alleging that Hurckes collected fees but provided little to no legal services. Clients also allege that he failed to communicate effectively, misrepresenting the status of their cases or soliciting additional fees.
The Florida Bar’s investigation revealed that Hurckes would collect a nonrefundable “retainer fee” and then perform minimal or no work on the client’s case. Clients reported that Hurckes failed to provide services, return calls, file time-sensitive documents, appear in court, or respond to opposing counsel. Some clients also stated that Hurckes failed to honor scheduled meetings.
According to the petition, Hurckes billed clients for unpaid portions of the “retainer fee,” additional work, and for filing notices of appearance and motions to withdraw after termination of his services. Clients who refused to pay were allegedly reported to collection agencies. Hurckes purportedly used the engagement agreement as proof of the owed “nonrefundable retainer fee” and created itemized bills for non-substantive activities.
The Florida Bar also alleges that when clients complained or posted negative reviews, Hurckes billed them for his time responding to the complaints. He also allegedly hired a “reputation doctor” to offer refunds in exchange for removing negative reviews and withdrawing bar complaints.
A review of court cases from January 1, 2024, through April 1, 2025, revealed a pattern of Hurckes’ failure to appear at hearings and meet deadlines. The investigation also found that Hurckes failed to update his virtual office addresses with the courts, resulting in returned mail.
The Florida Bar has requested that the court suspend Hurckes from the practice of law and order him to cease accepting new clients, initiating litigation, withdrawing funds from trust accounts, and transferring property purchased with client funds.
According to Avvo, Mr. Hurckes is a securities offerings lawyer in New York, NY. He acquired his law license in Florida in 2022.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
