On Thursday, May 22, 2025, the Supreme Court of Florida approved an amended conditional guilty plea for consent judgment in the disciplinary case against Attorney Danielle Justine Butler. The decision imposes a 30-day suspension from the practice of law, effective retroactively to June 18, 2021, the date of Butler’s prior felony suspension.
The case is entitled “The Florida Bar v. Danielle Justine Butler,” with case no. SC2021-0738.
Butler faced disciplinary action following a criminal case in Broward County, Florida. In February 2021, Butler was charged with third-degree grand theft, a felony, related to allegations that respondent sent client Nicholas Loeb a request for reimbursement for costs and expenses, where the costs Invoices respondent’s firm sent to the client were erroneously attributed higher costs to third-party entities than the charges that were listed on the invoices that the client received directly from those same third-party entities. Loeb disputed the charges, and no payment was made on the erroneous invoice.
On May 3, 2021, Butler entered a no-contest plea to the felony charge, resulting in a one-year probation sentence with adjudication withheld. However, on December 3, 2021, the court vacated this plea, citing Butler’s significant personal, medical, and mental health challenges, which rendered the plea involuntary. On July 28, 2023, the charge was reduced to a misdemeanor for obstruction of justice, to which Butler pleaded no contest. She was sentenced to 12 months of administrative probation, which was terminated early on January 24, 2024.
The second complaint involved Butler’s representation of Loeb in the purchase and legal management of a motor vessel. Butler charged a flat fee and a $10,000 cost retainer. After the transaction, her firm sent Loeb an invoice for $8,797 in costs, which inaccurately reflected higher charges than those directly received from third-party entities. Loeb disputed the invoice, and Butler acknowledged the error, attributing it to an accounting oversight. No additional funds were paid by Loeb. The Florida Bar found that Butler’s actions violated rules prohibiting excessive fees and costs.
The Supreme Court’s order requires Butler to comply with several conditions. She must immediately notify all relevant courts, clients, co-counsel, and opposing counsel of her suspension and submit an affidavit to the Florida Bar within 30 days confirming these notifications. Additionally, Butler is required to complete a continuing legal education course titled “Avoiding Fee Disputes, Disgorgement and Discipline” within 30 days of the order. She must also undergo an office procedures and record-keeping analysis by the Florida Bar’s Diversion/Discipline Consultation Service, covering her law firm’s practices and trust accounting, and implement all recommendations at her own expense. Furthermore, Butler is mandated to attend an in-person Ethics School within six months and pay associated fees.
The court also ordered Butler to pay $3,260.70 in disciplinary costs to the Florida Bar. Failure to satisfy this amount within 30 days will render her ineligible to practice law until payment is made or deferred by the Florida Bar’s Board of Governors.
According to Avvo.com, Ms. Butler is an admiralty and maritime attorney in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She attended the New York Law School. She acquired her law license in Florida in 2001.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
