THE FLORIDA BAR, PETITIONER,
v.
MICHAEL J. ZYNE, RESPONDENT
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The Florida Bar petitioned the Florida Supreme Court to hold disbarred attorney Michael J. Zyne in contempt for practicing law in violation of the Integration Rule after his disbarment in July 1972. The court found Zyne in default, entered a guilty contempt judgment, and sentenced him to 60 days in jail, with a 10-day opportunity to purge the contempt by ceasing his law practice.
Zyne is guilty of contempt of court for practicing law after disbarment. He is sentenced to 60 days in jail, with a 10-day period during which he may purge himself of contempt by closing his law office and completely abandoning the practice of law, as verified by the Chief Judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit.
[1] A disbarred attorney found to be practicing law in violation of a court order is guilty of contempt.
[2] A respondent who fails to answer a petition for contempt is in default, and the allegations of the petition are deemed admitted.
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence“The respondent was disbarred from the practice of Law July 26, 1972.”
Establishes the foundational violation—Zyne was no longer authorized to practice law at the time of the alleged contemptuous conduct.
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceMichael J. Zyne was disbarred from the practice of law on July 26, 1972, by order of the Florida Supreme Court. After his disbarment, Zyne continued t…
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This cause now comes on for final hearing. It originated 2 January 1973 upon petition of The Florida Bar praying that an order be directed to the respondent, Michael J. Zyne, requiring him to show cause why he should not be held in Contempt for practicing law in violation of Section 2 of Article II of the Integration Rule, 32 F.S.A. The respondent was disbarred from the practice of Law July 26, 1972. See The Florida Bar v. Zyne, Fla., 266 So.2d 668. The petition contained allegations of instances of the respondent practicing law despite his disbarment by order of this Court. Rule nisi returnable 31 January 1973 was issued on 11 January and personal service made by the sheriff of Dade County on January 17, 1973. No- answer or other pleading having been filed by respondent, *10default is hereby entered against him and we accept as admitted the allegations of the petition, whereupon the respondent Michael J. Zyne is adjudged to be Guilty of Contempt of this Court.
It is the further order, judgment and sentence of the-Court that the said Michael J. Zyne be confined in the jail of Dade County, Florida, for a period of 60 days in custody of the sheriff of that County; provided, however, confinement is deferred for a period of 10 days after service of a copy of this order during which time the respondent may purge himself of this Contempt, if he can convince the Chief Judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, that he has closed his law office and completely abandoned in all respects the practice of law. The Chief Judge, supra, is hereby appointed Commissioner of this Court to hear and consider such application to purge, in the event respondent desires to so apply.
CARLTON, C. J., and ROBERTS, ERVIN, ADKINS, BOYD, McCAIN and DEKLE, JJ., concur.