Florida Bar v. Fortunato

We have for review a referee’s report recommending that attorney Melody Ridg-ley Fortunato be publicly reprimanded for violating several of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 15, Fla. Const.

I. FACTS

The Bar filed a complaint against Fortu-nato and, after a hearing, the referee recommended finding her guilty of several charged rule violations for failing to respond to two related appellate court orders, which failure resulted in not only the dismissal of her chent’s appeal but also in the issuance of a third appellate court order sanctioning Fortunato, to…