Opinion ID: 1620498
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Sufficiency of the Referee's Report

Text: In his second claim, Committe contends that the Bar's complaint was insufficient because the complaint failed to connect each allegation to a specific rule, and this failure prevented him from preparing an effective defense. We disagree and find that the Bar complied with rule 3-7.6(h)(1)(B), which requires only that the Bar set forth the particular act or acts of conduct for which the attorney is sought to be disciplined. There is no requirement for the Bar to connect every alleged item of misconduct to a specific rule violation. The Bar's complaint specifically addressed what conduct it relied upon to show Committe violated his professional obligations. It is the combination of these acts that led to the conclusion that Committe violated the rules. As addressed above, due process is satisfied where the attorney has notice and an opportunity to be heard. See, e.g., Fla. Bar v. Fredericks, 731 So.2d 1249, 1254 (Fla.1999) (Accordingly, because Fredericks was made aware of the conduct alleged by the Bar to be unethical and had the opportunity to be heard as to this conduct, there was no violation of due process.). In fact, Committe's very response demonstrates that he was adequately informed and had an opportunity to be heard, given the strenuous arguments he presented to both the referee and this Court as to why he believed his acts did not violate any ethical rules.