Supreme Court of Florida

The Florida Bar, Complainant v. Robert Joseph Ratiner, Respondent.

February 22, 2018238 So. 3d 117

Summary

The Court approved the referee’s factual findings and recommendations of guilt, concluding that competent, substantial evidence established that Ratiner disrupted judicial proceedings and engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. The Court rejected the recommended consecutive three-year suspension because it effectively imposed a six-year suspension contrary to the applicable sanction standard, and instead disbarred Ratiner based on his cumulative and escalating similar misconduct. The Court also entered judgment for the Bar for $4,889.74 in costs.