On Thursday, September 1, 2022, the Supreme Court of the State of Florida ruled on the Uncontested Report of the Referee Accepting Consent Judgment concerning Jacksonville attorney Robert Laurence Pelletier in relation to an action for disciplinary charges against Pelletier for misconduct.

The case, titled The Florida Bar v. Robert Laurence Pelletier, was brought by the Florida Bar. Case number #SC22-397.

The charges cited Rules 4-1.3, 4-1.4(a)(3), 4-1.5(a), 4-1.7(a), 4-7.13(a)(2), and 8.4(g) of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar.

The Rules Regulating the Florida Bar can be found here.

The following are as alleged and summarized from the filing:

The Respondent engaged in the misconduct of charging a flat fee of $18,000.00, to represent Mr. Surrency in three criminal cases. It was Ms. Surrency who retained and paid the $9,000.00 to the respondent on June 10&11, 2021. Respondent entered his appearance in Mr. Surrency’s criminal matters on June 14, 2021, and has failed to keep his client reasonably informed about the status of his case and failed to diligently represent Mr. Surrency. Shortly thereafter, on July 9, 2021, Mr. Surrency signed a plea deal with the assistance of his public defender, Mr. Michael Ruppert, who was appointed on June 21, 2021, by the Restricted Registry to represent Mr. Surrency. The parties dispute whether sufficient work was conducted by respondent on behalf of Mr. Surrency. It was also alleged that respondent possesses a “boat wrap” advertisement for the firm he worked for that was not in full compliance with advertisement requirements.

The Report of Referee states:

“On August 9, 2021, The Florida Bar received a complaint against respondent by Ms.Surrency.

On August 17, 2021, respondent was sent a letter notifying respondent of the complaint and giving him fifteen days, with the deadline of September 1, 2021, to respond to The Florida Bar. Respondent failed to timely respond to The Florida Bar’s official inquiry.”

The Report further alleges:

“Through discovery, respondent was able to provide that on April 28, 2021, pending addition of the location of the firm, respondent’s boat wrap was advertisement was approved by The Florida Bar’s advisory staff review. Respondent has since provided a complete image of the boat wrap that incorporated the location of the firm, affirming his compliance for the advertisement rule requirements in accordance  with the review.”

The Report additionally notes:

“The Florida Bar voluntarily dismisses rules 4-1.5(a) Illegal, Prohibited, or Clearly Excessive Fees and Costs; and 4-7.13(a)(2) Deceptive and Inherently Misleading Advertisements, as part of this agreement upon acceptance of this plea.”

The Referee recommended that Respondent be found guilty of misconduct and that he be disciplined by public reprimand by publication, attendance at Ethics School within six months of the Court’s final order and payment of the $750 workshop fee; and payment of The Florida Bar’s costs.

With the foregoing facts and discussions, the court ruled against the Respondent in relation to the above-cited Rules of Professional Conduct

The Disposition reads:

“The Court approves the uncontested referee’s report and reprimands respondent.

Respondent is directed to attend the Florida Bar’s Ethics School under the terms and conditions set forth in the report and consent judgment.

Judgment is entered for The Florida Bar, 651 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2300, for recovery of costs from Robert Laurence Pelletier in the amount of $1,840.75, for which sum let execution issue.”

Mr. Pelletier has been licensed in Florida.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.