Opinion
SC2023-0560
06-19-2023
The Florida Bar, Petitioner(s) v. Mercedes Gonzalez Hale, Respondent(s)
Lower Tribunal No(s).: 2023-10,486 (6B) (OSC)
This is before the Court on The Florida Bar's Petition for Contempt and Order to Show Cause.
The Court having issued its Order to Show Cause to Respondent, and Respondent having failed to file a response to said Order to Show Cause, IT IS ORDERED that The Florida Bar's petition is granted, and Respondent is held in contempt of this Court. As a sanction, Respondent is suspended from the practice of law effective thirty days from the date of this order so that Respondent can close out her practice and protect the interests of existing clients. Respondent shall remain suspended until she has fully responded in writing to the official Bar inquiry, and until further order of this Court. If Respondent notifies this Court in writing that she is no longer practicing and does not need the thirty days to protect existing clients, this Court will enter an order making the suspension effective immediately. Respondent shall fully comply with Rule Regulating The Florida Bar 3-5.1(h). Respondent shall also fully comply with Rule Regulating The Florida Bar 3-6.1, if applicable. In addition, Respondent shall accept no new business from the date this order is filed until she is reinstated. Once the suspension takes effect, Respondent shall remain suspended until further order of this Court.
Judgment is entered for The Florida Bar, 651 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2300, for recovery of costs from Mercedes Gonzalez Hale in the amount of $1,250.00, for which sum let execution issue.
Not final until time expires to file motion for rehearing, and if filed, determined. The filing of a motion for rehearing shall not alter the effective date of this suspension.
MUÑIZ, C.J., and CANADY, LABARGA, COURIEL, GROSSHANS, and FRANCIS, JJ., concur.
SASSO, J., did not participate.