Florida Bar v. Whitaker

The Florida Bar petitions for review of a referee’s report recommending that respondent, Hurley Whitaker, receive an admonishment and be placed on supervised probation for two years. We agree with the Bar that an admonishment is insufficient discipline in this case, and therefore issue a public reprimand.1

The misconduct in this case involves respondent’s representation of the client regarding the alleged sexual molestation of her three and one-half year old daughter by an employee of the nursery where the child had been placed in day care. In January 1986 the client signed a contingency fee…