Opinion ID: 1734452
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Motion for Attorney Fees

Text: Klein filed a motion on behalf of Westwood HOA seeking attorneys' fees in the Lewis and Martin federal litigation more than one year after the final judgment had been entered against the Westwood HOA in that proceeding. By filing this untimely motion in a case where the Westwood HOA was not the prevailing party, the referee found that Klein had violated rule 4-3.1 (asserting frivolous issue) and rule 4-8.4(d) (conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice). Klein argues that the court accepted his late filing, and that because these actions took place in federal court, he cannot be sanctioned for them. Klein disobeyed the rules of procedure for the United States District Court, Southern District, which require that a motion for attorneys' fees is to be served within 30 days of entry of Final Judgment or other dispositive order. S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.3. Additionally, this Court has jurisdiction over all attorneys licensed in Florida, regardless of the situs of the offense. See generally Florida Bar v. Nunes, 679 So.2d 744 (Fla.1996) (suspending attorney for acts solely related to immigration matter). There is competent substantial evidence to support the referee's finding that this was a frivolous motion and that Klein committed the rule violations.