On Monday, November 25, 2024, the Supreme Court of Florida suspended attorney Thomas Arthur Chandler from practicing law due to a felony charge. This action follows a Notice of Determination of Judgment of Guilt filed by The Florida Bar.

The case is entitled “The Florida Bar v. Thomas Arthur Chandler,” with case no. SC2024-1675.

Chandler was found guilty of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) for a third time within a ten-year period. His arrest on July 30, 2023, led to charges classified as a third-degree felony. On September 5, 2024, Chandler entered a plea of nolo contendere, which resulted in his adjudication of guilt.

As part of the sentence, Chandler was ordered to serve 30 days in jail, with credit for time already served, including time spent in a residential treatment program. He was also placed on five years of probation, required to install an ignition interlock device in his vehicle for one year, and mandated to complete an advanced DUI school. Importantly, Chandler did not report this felony conviction to The Florida Bar, which is a violation of the rules regulating its members.

The Supreme Court’s suspension is effective immediately, as Chandler is currently delinquent and not eligible to practice law in Florida. The court instructed him to comply with several rules set forth by The Florida Bar, including Rule 3-5.1(h), which requires attorneys to notify clients and opposing counsel of their suspension, and Rule 3-6.1, which pertains to the handling of clients’ matters during the suspension period. Furthermore, Chandler is prohibited from accepting any new business until his reinstatement.

The Supreme Court has referred the case to the Chief Judge of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit for the appointment of a referee to oversee potential sanctions against him.

The Disposition states:

“The Florida Bar having filed on November 25, 2024, Notice of Determination of Judgment of Guilt, it is ordered that Thomas Arthur Chandler is suspended from The Florida Bar pursuant to 3- 7.2(f) of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar.”

According to avvo.com, Mr. Chandler acquired his law license in Florida in 1995.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.