Title: The Florida Bar v. Lecznar

State: florida

Issuer: Florida Supreme Court

Document:

690 So. 2d 1284 (1997)
THE FLORIDA BAR, Complainant,
v.
Robert H. LECZNAR, Respondent.
No. 85862.

Supreme Court of Florida.
March 27, 1997.
*1285 David R. Ristoff, Branch Staff Counsel, Tampa, for Complainant.
Scott K. Tozian of Smith and Tozian, P.A., Tampa, for Respondent.
PER CURIAM.
We have for review the complaint of The Florida Bar (the Bar) and the referee's report regarding alleged ethical breaches by Robert H. Lecznar. We have jurisdiction. Art. V, § 15, Fla. Const.
The parties stipulated to the following facts as set out in the referee's report:
The parties further stipulated that Lecznar's conduct violated four Rules of Professional Conduct. For each violation, the referee made findings relating to aggravating and mitigating circumstances and made recommendations concerning discipline:
In conclusion, the referee recommended that several additional conditions be imposed on Lecznar for the above violations of the disciplinary rules:
The Bar petitions for review, seeking a ninety-day suspension rather than a public reprimand based on the following: 1) Lecznar was disciplined for prior similar misconduct; 2) Lecznar made misrepresentations to the Leightys concerning the status of the lawsuit, and Lecznar had selfish motives for the misrepresentations; 3) the Leightys suffered substantial harm; 4) Lecznar's present conduct demonstrates a pattern of neglect; and 5) Lecznar's present conduct comprises multiple offenses.
The referee, as finder of fact in Bar disciplinary proceedings, is in a unique position to assess the credibility of witnesses and appraise the circumstances surrounding alleged violations. Oftentimes, the referee has an opportunity to evaluate first-hand the forthrightness and character of the respondent. As long as the referee's findings are supported by competent substantial evidence in the record, "this Court is precluded from reweighing the evidence and substituting its judgment for that of the referee." Florida *1288 Bar v. MacMillan, 600 So. 2d 457, 459 (Fla. 1992).[1] In the present case, competent substantial evidence in the record supports the referee's findings of fact and conclusions concerning guilt, and we approve those findings and conclusions.
As to discipline, we note that the referee in a Bar proceeding again occupies a favored vantage point for assessing key considerationssuch as a respondent's degree of culpability and his or her cooperation, forthrightness, remorse, and rehabilitation (or potential for rehabilitation). Accordingly, we will not second-guess a referee's recommended discipline as long as that discipline has a reasonable basis in existing caselaw. In the present case, however, we find the recommended discipline to be in conflict with Florida Bar v. Palmer, 504 So. 2d 752 (Fla. 1987), wherein we suspended the attorney for eight months for conduct that was similar in many ways to Lecznar's. Based on Palmer, on the one hand, and the referee's recommended discipline, on the other, we find a ninety-day suspension appropriate on this record.
Robert H. Lecznar is hereby suspended for ninety days from the practice of law in Florida. The suspension will be effective thirty days from the filing of this opinion so that he can close out his practice and protect the interests of existing clients. If Lecznar notifies this Court in writing that he is no longer practicing and does not need the thirty days to protect existing clients, this Court will enter an order making the suspension effective immediately. Lecznar shall accept no new business from the date this opinion is filed until the suspension is completed. Pursuant to the provisions of Rule Regulating The Florida Bar 3-5.1(g), upon receipt of this order of suspension, Lecznar shall forthwith furnish a copy of the order to all his clients with matters pending in his practice. Furthermore, within thirty days after receipt of this order, Lecznar shall furnish staff counsel of the Bar with a sworn affidavit listing the names and addresses of all clients who have been furnished copies of the order. Prior to reinstatement, Lecznar must schedule and complete in a satisfactory manner an evaluation with the Law Office Management Advisory Service of The Florida Bar. Judgment for costs in the amount of $1,187.41 is entered in favor of The Florida Bar against Robert H. Lecznar, for which sum let execution issue.
It is so ordered.
KOGAN, C.J., and OVERTON, SHAW, GRIMES, HARDING, WELLS and ANSTEAD, JJ., concur.
[1]  See also Florida Bar v. Spann, 682 So. 2d 1070, 1073 (Fla.1996) (the party contesting the referee's findings and conclusions "carries the burden of demonstrating that there is no evidence in the record to support those findings or that the record evidence clearly contradicts the conclusions").