The Florida Bar v. Alexa Martinez

Summary

The court approved in part and disapproved in part the referee’s factual findings and guilt recommendations concerning Martinez’s handling of a firm USB drive, communications with former clients, notices of appearance, and deposition-related notices of unavailability. It upheld several violations, added violations concerning frivolous filings, candor, and dishonesty, rejected the alleged violation involving unilateral client contact and the alleged truthfulness violation, and increased the sanction from a 10-day suspension to a 90-day suspension. The court also disapproved unreasonable delay as a mitigating factor because Martinez contributed to the delay.