Title: The Florida Bar v. Kleinfeld
Citation: 648 So. 2d 698
Docket Number: 81464
State: Florida
Issuer: Florida Supreme Court
Date: December 15, 1994

648 So. 2d 698 (1994)
THE FLORIDA BAR, Complainant,
v.
Sharon L. KLEINFELD, Respondent.
No. 81464.

Supreme Court of Florida.
December 15, 1994.
Rehearing Denied January 25, 1995.
John F. Harkness, Jr., Executive Director, and John T. Berry, Staff Counsel, Tallahassee, and Randi Klayman Lazarus, Bar Counsel, Miami, for complainant.
Nicholas R. Friedman of the Friedman Law Firm, Miami, for respondent.
PER CURIAM.
We have for review a complaint of The Florida Bar and referee's report concerning alleged ethical breaches by Sharon L. Kleinfeld. *699 We have jurisdiction. Art. V, § 15, Fla. Const. We approve the report.
The referee made the following findings concerning five acts of misconduct allegedly committed by Kleinfeld:
The referee made the following recommendations as to guilt based on his findings:
Based on his findings and recommendations, the referee recommended the following discipline:
Kleinfeld contends that she did not violate any disciplinary rules, and that her conduct thus should be the subject of civil, not disciplinary, action. Even if she were guilty of ethical breaches, she claims, a suspension, not disbarment, is appropriate discipline. The Florida Bar (the Bar), on the other hand, seeks disbarment.
Upon review of the record, we conclude that the referee's findings of fact and recommendations of guilt are supported by competent substantial evidence. We approve those findings and recommendations. In light of the extraordinarily serious nature of Kleinfeld's fifth alleged offense, we find the recommended disciplinary measures appropriate.
When Kleinfeld failed to appear on January 16, 1992, the last day of trial in the Freiheit case, Judge Cohen issued an order to show cause why she should not be held in direct criminal contempt. The judge reset the last day of trial in the Freiheit case for February 6, 1992, and set the appearance date on the contempt charge for February 7, 1992. When Kleinfeld again failed to appear for the last day of trial on February 6, Judge Cohen dismissed the Freiheit case with prejudice and issued a second order to show cause for direct criminal contempt. Kleinfeld failed to appear on February 7 on the contempt charge and Judge Cohen issued another order to show cause, as well as an order of arrest.
Kleinfeld subsequently filed a motion to disqualify Judge Cohen from the Freiheit case and to seek his recusal from the contempt proceedings. In support of the motion, Kleinfeld filed an affidavit accusing the judge of trying to intimidate Kleinfeld's lawyer in the contempt proceedings, Richard Rosenbaum, by threatening to dismiss a number of Rosenbaum's cases:
The affidavit was sworn to, signed by, and filed with the court by Kleinfeld.
Both Judge Cohen and Richard Rosenbaum testified before the referee in the disciplinary proceeding below, and the testimony of each was direct and unequivocal  no such phone call ever took place. Rosenbaum additionally denied ever discussing such a matter with Kleinfeld. After observing the testimony of various witnesses on this matter and hearing the testimony of other judges and witnesses on Kleinfeld's general honesty, the referee determined that Kleinfeld fabricated her story and thus committed a violation of Rule of Professional Conduct 4-3.3(a)(1):
Rule 4-3.3(a)(1) provides that a lawyer shall not knowingly lie to a tribunal:
R. Regulating Fla. Bar 4-3.3(a)(1).
This Court recently addressed this issue of a lawyer deliberately lying to a tribunal under oath in Florida Bar v. Rightmyer, 616 So. 2d 953 (Fla. 1993):
Florida Bar v. Rightmyer, 616 So. 2d 953, 954-55 (Fla. 1993).
We can conceive of few offenses a lawyer may commit more potentially damaging to the legal system than intentionally and falsely impugning the fairness and honesty of a judge for the sole purpose of shopping for a more favorable forum.
In light of Kleinfeld's lack of prior disciplinary record, we approve the substance of the referee's recommended discipline. Accordingly, we hereby suspend Sharon L. Kleinfeld from the practice of law in Florida for three years, to be followed by two years' probation. Prior to reinstatement, Kleinfeld must take and pass the professional responsibility portion of the Florida bar admission examination. After reinstatement, throughout her probationary term, Kleinfeld must be supervised by a Bar-approved representative. Kleinfeld's suspension will be effective thirty days from the filing of this opinion so that she can close out her practice and protect the interests of existing clients. If Kleinfeld notifies this Court in writing that she 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. Kleinfeld shall accept no new business from the date this opinion is filed. Judgment for costs in the amount of $9,213.99 is entered in favor of The Florida Bar against Sharon L. Kleinfeld, for which sum let execution issue.
It is so ordered.
GRIMES, C.J., and OVERTON, SHAW, KOGAN, HARDING and ANSTEAD, JJ., concur.
WELLS, J., recused.