Florida attorneys who criticized discrimination ruling should be suspended, judge says

By MIKE SCHNEIDER
Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A judge is recommending 30-day suspensions for a pair of Florida lawyers who criticized a ruling in a discrimination case. A lawyer for Orlando attorney Jerry Girley, who is Black, and his daughter, Brooke Girley, says Monday that his clients planned to ask the judge for a rehearing. The Girleys criticized another judge who overturned a jury decision awarding $2.7 million to a Black doctor in a racial discrimination case. The judge recommended the suspension and a workshop on professionalism two weeks after she held a hearing on their discipline case brought by the Florida Bar. The Florida Supreme Court ultimately will decide what discipline the Girleys face. Supporters say disciplinary action could chill free speech for Florida lawyers.