Indefinite suspension for Orlando Attorney Berry’s non compliance to official bar inquiries , says the Florida Supreme Court

On Tuesday, November 1, 2022, the Supreme Court of Florida ordered the suspension of Orlando attorney Shawn Michael Berry based on the Grievance Committee’s finding of non-compliance and failure to respond to official bar inquiry and contempt.

The case is styled ‘The Florida Bar vs. Shawn Michael Berry’ with case no. 2022-30,545 (9B).

The following are as summarized from the Grievance Committee Findings of Non-Compliance and Failure to Respond to Official Bar Inquiry and Contempt:

On August 25, 2022, the Ninth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee B filed before the Court its findings of noncompliance and failure to respond to the Florida Bar’s inquiries and found Berry in contempt. The Florida Bar had tried sending a letter advising Berry of a complaint in this case and requesting Berry to respond in writing by regular U.S. Mail, United States Postal Service, and to his bar record email address. A Staff Investigator attempted to contact Berry at several telephone numbers, however, all of the numbers were disconnected or out of service. In addition, the Staff Investigator learned that Berry had been evicted from his residence.

The filing states:

‘As of the date of this Request for Issuance of Notice of Non-Compliance and Finding of Contempt, respondent has failed to respond to the official bar inquiries dated March 25, 2022, April 12, 2022, April 18, 2022, and May 17, 2022.’

The filing continues:

‘The Grievance Committee found that respondent failed to show good cause for failing to respond to the official bar inquiries and that the non-compliance was willful.’

The Florida Bar filed a Petition for Contempt and Order to Show Cause before the Court. However, Berry failed to file his response to the same.

Accordingly, the Court ruled against Berry.

The Order reads:

“IT IS ORDERED that The Florida Bar’s petition is granted, and respondent is held in contempt of this Court. As a sanction, respondent is suspended from the practice of law effective thirty days from the date of this order so that respondent can close out his practice and protect the interests of existing clients. Respondent shall remain suspended until he fully responded in writing to the official Bar inquiry, and until further order of this court.

Judgment is entered for The Florida Bar, 651 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2300, for recovery of costs from Shawn Michael Berry in the amount of $1,250.00, for which sum let execution issue.”

Prior to the suspension, Mr. Berry practiced in Orlando, Florida. He graduated from the Florida Coastal School of Law in 2009. Berry has been licensed in Florida. His info can be found on LinkedIn.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.