Michael Lee Weimorts was hired in 2017 to represent the Summerhaven North Townhome Association in a beach access dispute, according to a formal complaint by The Florida Bar. The Association paid Weimorts a $3,500 fee, but Weimorts reportedly went more than a year without communicating the status of the case to his client.
In 2019 he reportedly denied the association's request for a refund, saying he had provided some legal services. However, Weimorts ultimately failed to follow up on the association's request that he show proof of his work, according to the complaint.
The association reported the situation to the Florida Bar, which made numerous unsuccessful attempts to contact Weimorts by letter and email, the complaint said.
A referee appointed to oversee Weimorts' disciplinary case ultimately recommended disbarment, citing eight aggravating factors. Among them were five previous disciplinary incidents in 2001, 2004, 2006 and 2020 in which Weimorts had been subject to public reprimands, periods of probation and suspensions.
Weimorts, who was admitted to practice in 1993, was disbarred in a Dec.10 order by the Florida Supreme. Additionally, he was ordered to pay $3,500 in restitution to Summerhaven North Townhome Association. The order was scheduled to take effect 30 days after it was issued to allow Weimorts time to close out his practice.
Weimorts did not immediately respond to the Daily News' request for comment Tuesday.
As an official arm of the Florida Supreme Court, The Florida Bar and its Department of Lawyer Regulation are charged with administering a statewide disciplinary system to enforce Supreme Court rules of professional conduct for the more than 108,000 members of The Florida Bar.
The Bar announced that between Nov. 21 and Dec. 28, the Florida Supreme Court disciplined 20 attorneys, disbarring four, revoking the licenses of three, suspending 12 and reprimanding one. One attorney was placed on probation and two must pay restitution.
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