On Thursday, September 29, 2022, the Supreme Court of Florida ruled on the Petition for Disciplinary Revocation of Jacksonville attorney Gordon Thomas Nicol in relation to pending four disciplinary charges before a grievance committe.

The case, titled In Re: The Petition for Disciplinary Revocation of Gordon Thomas Nicol, was brought by Gordon Thomas Nicol, under The Florida Bar File No. 2021-00,64(4D)((NDR).

The following are as alleged and summarized from the filing:

The respondent has pending disciplinary charges against him, namely The Florida Bar File Number 2021-00,351(4D), 2021-00,386(4D), 2021-00,534(4D), 2021-00,174(4D) which are pending before a grievance committee, and The Florida Bar File Number 2023-00,014(4D) is pending at Staff level. These files alleged that several client matters were not properly handled by Petitioner’s law firm and that Petitioner failed to properly supervise non-lawyer staff and former associates who were assigned to the cases. The firm’s caseload increased before the pandemic started. Respondent closed his law firm’s satellite offices upon receipt of the complaints and began working diligently to wind down his practice and retire.

The Petition for Disciplinary Revocation with Leave to Apply for Readmission states:

“Petitioner knowingly and voluntarily submits this Petition with leave to apply for readmission after five (5) years with full knowledge of its effect.”

The Petition continues:

“Petitioner contends that granting this Petition will not adversely affect the public interest, the integrity of the courts, or the confidence of the public in the legal profession. Further, Petitioner contends that granting this Petition will not hinder the administration of justice.”

The Petition additionally notes:

“Petitioner agrees to eliminate all indicia of Petitioner’s status as an attorney on email, social media, telephone listings, stationery, checks, business cards office signs or any other indicia of Petitioner’s status as an attorney, whatsoever.”

Petitioner respectfully requested that the Court grant his Petition and order that his membership in The Florida Bar be revoked with leave to seek readmission after five (5) years.

With the foregoing facts and discussions, the court granted Nicol’s petition.

The Disposition reads:

“The uncontested petition for disciplinary revocation, . . with leave to seek readmission after five years, is granted subject to the continuing jurisdiction of this Court. . . Disciplinary revocation is tantamount to disbarment. . . The disciplinary revocation shall be effective thirty days from the date of this order as agreed by the Bar and petitioner, so that petitioner can close out his practice and protect the interests of existing clients.”

Judgment is entered for The Florida Bar, 651 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2300, for recovery of costs from Gordon Thomas Nicol in the amount of $2,066.21, for which sum let execution issue.”

Mr. Nicol has practiced in Jacksonville, Florida.  He obtained his law degree from the University of Florida. Nicol had been licensed in Florida. His info can be found on LinkedIn.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.