Opinion ID: 1780228
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: ef Motions for Dissolution.

Text: (1) The attorney may move at any time for dissolution or amendment of an emergency order by motion filed with the Supreme Court of Florida, a copy of which will be served on bar counsel. Such motion shall operate as anot stay of any other proceedings and applicable time limitations in the case and, unless the motion fails to state good cause or is procedurally barred as an invalid successive motion, shall immediately be assigned to a referee designated by the chief justice. The filing of such motion shall not stay the operation of an order of emergency suspension or interim probation entered under this rule. (2) The referee shall hear such motion within 7 days of assignment, or a shorter time if practicable, and submit a report and recommendation to the Supreme Court of Florida within 7 days of the date of the hearing, or a shorter time if practicable. The referee shall recommend dissolution or amendment, whichever is appropriate, to the extent that bar counsel cannot demonstrate a likelihood of prevailing on the merits on any element of the underlying complaint. (3) Successive motions for dissolution shall be summarily dismissed by the supreme court to the extent that they raise issues that were or with due diligence could have been raised in a prior motion. (4) Upon receipt of the referees recommended order on the motion for dissolution or amendment, the supreme court shall review and act upon the referees findings and recommendations. If the court continues the order of emergency suspension or probation in any manner, The Florida Bar shall file a formal complaint, if one has not yet been filed, within 60 days of the continuance and proceed to trial of the underlying issues, without the necessity of a finding of probable cause by either a grievance committee or the board of governors. A continuance of the emergency suspension or probation dissolves the stay of other proceedings. (fg) Hearings on Formal Complaints. Upon the filing of a formal complaint based on charges supporting an emergency order, the chief justice shall appoint a referee to hear the matter in the same manner as provided in rule 3-7.56, except that the referee shall hear the matter and issue a report and recommendation within 90 days of appointment or, if the attorney has filed an unsuccessful motion for dissolution or amendment after the appointment of the referee, within 90 days of the supreme court's continuance of the emergency order. This time limit shall apply only to trials on complaints in connection with which an emergency suspension or interim probation is in effect. If the time limit specified in this subdivision is not met, that portion of an emergency order imposing a suspension or interim probation shall be automatically dissolved, except upon order of the supreme court upon showing of good cause, provided that any other appropriate disciplinary action on the underlying conduct still may be taken. (gh) Proceedings in the Supreme Court of Florida. Consideration of the referees report and recommendation shall be expedited in the supreme court. If oral argument is granted, the chief justice shall schedule oral argument as soon as practicable. (hi) Waiver of Time Limits. Respondent may at any time waive the time requirements set forth in this rule by written request made to and approved by the referee assigned to hear the matter.