Disciplinary Actions.

The Florida Supreme Court in recent court orders disciplined 20 attorneys--disbarring three, revoking the licenses of seven, suspending six and publicly reprimanding four. Three attorneys received more than one form of discipline. Two were ordered to pay restitution and one was placed on probation.

Marcy Elizabeth Abitz, 322 N.W. 103rd Terrace, Pembroke Pines, disbarred effective immediately, following a May 25 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2002) Further, Abitz shall pay restitution of $375 per month for 24 months to Cypress Insurance Group. An echeck from the insurance company for nearly $9,000 was mistakenly mailed to Abitz. She deposited the funds and disbursed most of the money within days of receipt. Upon receiving an initial email from Cypress about the error, Abitz said she'd investigate the matter. Thereafter, Abitz ignored all requests to communicate with the insurance group. (Case No. SC16-1358)

Dennis Roland Bedard, 1717 N. Bayshore Drive, Suite 215, Miami, received a disciplinary revocation with leave to seek readmission after five years, effective immediately, following a May 25 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1988) Disciplinary revocation is tantamount to disbarment. A disciplinary matter pending against Bedard involved claims, made by a prior client, of the misuse of client funds. (Case No. SCl7-476)

Phillip J. Brutus, 4000 N. State Road 7, Suite 214, Lauderdale Lakes, suspended for one year, effective 30 days from a May 4 court order. (Admitted to practice: 1987) Further, upon reinstatement, Brutus shall serve two years of probation. In handling a dissolution of marriage proceeding, Brutus disbursed funds from the former husband to the client and himself, and the remainder to costs, without a court order or settlement agreement indicating how the money would be disbursed. A Bar audit also found that Brutus did not properly maintain his trust account in accordance with rules. Between July and September 2010, there were at least three overdrafts. (Case No. SC14-2499)

Joseph Cichowski, 1007 N. Federal Highway #4000, Ft. Lauderdale, received a disciplinary revocation with leave to seek readmission after five years, effective immediately, following a May 11 court order. (Admitted to practice: 2000) Disciplinary revocation is tantamount to disbarment. A disciplinary matter pending against Cichowski involved an adjudication of guilt for grand theft auto. (Case No. SC17-469)

Richard Michael Colbert, 2717 Gulf Breeze...