Florida

Jacksonville Attorney Ethics & Discipline

Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida by area and a major legal market. Attorney discipline in Florida is handled by The Florida Bar through local grievance committees. The Ethics Reporter covers attorney misconduct across Florida, including Jacksonville.

File a Bar Complaint in Jacksonville

Attorney discipline in Jacksonville is handled by the The Florida Bar — Grievance Committees. If you believe an attorney has violated their professional obligations, you have the right to file a formal complaint.

Visit The Florida Bar — Grievance Committees →Florida Attorney Discipline →

How to File a Bar Complaint Against a Jacksonville Attorney

1
Document everything. Gather all communications with the attorney — emails, letters, invoices, contracts, and any evidence of misconduct. Organize it chronologically.
2
Identify the violations. Review the professional conduct rules for Florida and identify which rules the attorney appears to have violated. Common violations include Rule 1.1 (competence), Rule 1.4 (communication), Rule 1.15 (client funds), and Rule 8.4 (misconduct).
3
Submit your complaint. File a written complaint with the The Florida Bar — Grievance Committees. Include all supporting documentation and be as specific as possible about dates, facts, and the specific harm caused.
4
Follow up. The grievance committee will typically acknowledge your complaint and assign an investigator. The process can take months to years. Stay in contact and provide any additional information requested.
5
Consider civil remedies. A bar complaint is separate from a legal malpractice lawsuit. If you suffered financial damages, consult with a legal malpractice attorney about your civil remedies, which operate on a different timeline than bar discipline.

What Attorney Misconduct Can You Report?

Rule 1.1 — Competence

Attorney lacks knowledge or skill for the matter

Rule 1.4 — Communication

Attorney fails to respond or keep you informed

Rule 1.15 — Client Funds

Attorney mishandles or steals money held in trust

Rule 1.3 — Diligence

Attorney fails to act with reasonable promptness

Rule 7.1 — Advertising

False or misleading communications about services

Rule 8.4 — Misconduct

Fraud, dishonesty, or criminal acts

Learn more about legal ethics reform →

Investigations Involving Jacksonville / Florida

April 1, 2026

Eight Lawyers, Eight Failures: Inside the Florida Supreme Court’s Latest Round of Attorney Discipline

From a Keys attorney who double-booked himself across courthouses to a Texas lawyer convicted of killing two pedestrians, the Florida Supreme Court’s late

March 29, 2026

Ariel Mitchell: Miami Attorney Suspended 75 Days for Lying to the Florida Bar, the Courts, and the Press — and the Number That Tells the Real Story

By The Ethics Reporter Editorial Board | March 29, 2026 Ariel Mitchell: Miami Attorney Suspended 75 Days for Lying to the Florida Bar, the Courts, and the Press

March 17, 2026

Emelike Nwosuocha: Florida Bar Suspended Miami Attorney 508 Days After His Death

The disciplinary case of Emelike Nwosuocha is unlike any other in the Florida Bar’s January 1, 2026 disciplinary cycle — and unlike almost any other in re

March 14, 2026

Lisa Jacobs: Florida Attorney Disbarred After Third Contempt — Aventura Lawyer Refused to Notify Clients of Suspe

Lisa Jacobs, an Aventura attorney admitted to the Florida Bar in 1999, was disbarred by the Florida Supreme Court on December 15, 2025 — not for the underlying

March 13, 2026

Lisa Jacobs Florida Attorney Disbarred After Third Contempt — Aventura Lawyer Refused to Notify Clients of Suspension

Lisa Jacobs, an Aventura attorney admitted to the Florida Bar in 1999, was disbarred by the Florida Supreme Court on December 15, 2025 — not for the underlying

March 11, 2026

Augustus Sol Invictus: Florida Attorney Suspended After Felony Conviction Tied to Charlottesville Torch March

Who Is Augustus Sol Invictus? Augustus Sol Invictus — born Austin Mitchell Gillespie on July 31, 1984 — is a Florida attorney, far-right political activist, and

Know a Jacksonville Attorney Who Should Be Investigated?

The Ethics Reporter relies on tips from clients, colleagues, and insiders to identify attorneys who are violating their professional obligations. All tips are reviewed by our editorial team.

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