The Florida Bar v. Danielle Renee Watson

Summary

The Supreme Court of Florida reviewed disciplinary proceedings against attorney Danielle Renee Watson arising from conduct in a federal employment discrimination case. The court approved the findings of violations of Rules Regulating the Florida Bar 4-8.4(a) and 4-8.4(d), rejected the characterization of the misconduct as minor, and imposed a 91-day suspension. The court also ordered Watson to pay $3,404.67 in costs.

Holdings

1. The Court approved the referee's findings of fact and recommendation that Watson violated Rules Regulating The Florida Bar 4-8.4(a) and 4-8.4(d).
2. Watson's misconduct did not qualify as minor misconduct under Rule Regulating The Florida Bar 3-5.1(b), and an admonishment was therefore inappropriate.
3. The Court approved the referee's findings of a pattern of misconduct, multiple violations, and indifference to making restitution; held that substantial experience in the practice of law was also an aggravating factor; and disapproved the finding of unreasonable delay in the disciplinary process as a mitigating factor.
4. A 91-day rehabilitative suspension was the appropriate sanction, replacing the referee's recommended admonishment.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the referee's findings of fact and recommendations as to guilt for violations of Rules Regulating The Florida Bar 4-8.4(a) and 4-8.4(d) should be approved.
2. Whether Watson's misconduct qualified as minor misconduct under Rule Regulating The Florida Bar 3-5.1(b) and warranted an admonishment.
3. Whether the referee correctly found the relevant aggravating and mitigating factors.
4. What discipline was appropriate for Watson's misconduct.

Disposition

other