Opinion
No. SC11–2323.
2012-03-19
THE FLORIDA BAR, Complainant(s) v. Andrea Ruth BATEMAN, Respondent(s).
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 filed a response to said Order to Show Cause,
IT IS ORDERED that respondent is held in contempt of this Court's order. As a sanction, respondent is suspended from the practice of law for thirty days, effective thirty days from the date of this order so that respondent can close out her practice and protect the interests of existing clients. 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(g). In addition, respondent shall accept no new business from the date this order is filed until she is reinstated.
Further, Respondent is directed to continue to comply with the terms and conditions associated with her probationary period in SC07–43 (TFB File No.2006–31,829(09A), and ordered to pay monitoring fee arrearages in the amount of $700.00 in SC07–43.
Judgment is entered for The Florida Bar, 651 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399–2300, for recovery of costs from Andrea Ruth Bateman 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. CANADY, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, POLSTON, and LABARGA, JJ., concur.