Florida Bar v. Murphy

Thomas Murphy, a member of The Florida Bar, petitions for review of a referee’s report recommending that he be suspended from the practice of law for twelve months. We have jurisdiction. Art. V, § 15, Fla. Const. We approve the referee’s report and recommendations.

The bar’s two-count complaint arose from Murphy’s representation of a Florida resident who was severely injured when run over by an automobile in California. The first count alleged that, after Murphy prepared a closing statement on a $300,000 insurance settlement showing attorneys’ fees of $100,000, he demanded an additional…