As the state's highest judicial body, Florida's Supreme Court holds authority over those who practice law in the Sunshine State.

The state Supreme Court recently exercised that authority when it moved to strip law licenses from multiple attorneys while imposing various forms of discipline on others. 

Lawyer disbarred for misappropriating over $1 million

According to the Naples Daily, Michael Joseph Murphy "engaged in acts that constitute the practice of law" despite a previous court order which stripped his license.

Murphy, who was first licensed in 1978, was subsequently held in contempt of court and permanently disbarred. He has filed a motion for reconsideration which has yet to be adjudicated.

William G. Schlotthauer was similarly disbarred for having misappropriated at least $1,061,499 from trusts of which he was the sole trustee. Like Murphy, Schlotthauer has a pending motion to reconsider.

Yet another person to face disbarment is Don Gonzalez, who failed to keep clients informed about and failed to deliver funds that a client was entitled to.

What's more, Gonzalez also failed to address official inquiries concerning the matter which had been made by the Florida Bar.

Two attorneys receive interim felony suspensions

Meanwhile, Ruzy Behnejad has had his license to practice law revoked; he will have an opportunity to seek readmission to the bar in five years time.

Behnejad was confronted with allegations that he failed to immediately distribute funds to his client following a settlement agreement, although the money was ultimately paid.

Jason Alan Wiles received an interim felony suspension after he pleaded nolo contendre on May 28 to a single count of felony battery.

An additional interim felony suspension was handed down to Amber H. Patwell following her conviction last month on one count of neglect of a child.

State Supreme Court suspends Broward County circuit judge after investigation

Lawyers haven't been the state Supreme Court's only target, as in May the Florida Phoenix reported that it had indefinitely suspended Broward County Circuit Judge Gary Farmer, a who previously served as  Florida Senate Democratic leader.

That decision came following an investigation by Florida’s Judicial Qualifications Commission (FJQC) which found that Farmer had repeatedly made inappropriate comments from the bench.

"Through his extensive misconduct, occurring over a lengthy period of time, Judge Farmer has damaged the public’s perception of the judiciary and the judicial branch in such a way that he has demonstrated a present unfitness to serve," the commission's 13-page report stated.