Florida Bar v. Pitts

Respondent Pitts, a Florida lawyer, seeks review of a judgment of the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar finding him guilty of a violation of certain canons of ethics and recommending discipline.

It is contended that the discipline is too severe and that the alleged misconduct was not proved.

The referee found Pitts guilty on one charge of soliciting professional employment and, also, on one charge of borrowing a substantial sum of money from a client, giving him a note bearing criminally usurious interest and then pleading usury as a defense to a suit on the note. He recommended suspension…