Florida Supreme Court suspends Lake City attorney Ronald Peacock from practicing law for 91 days—
December 5 By Karl Burkhardt
Lake City attorney Ronald Hardy Peacock has been suspended from the practice of law for 91 days, effective December 4.
The Florida Supreme Court issued the suspension on November 4 and gave Peacock 30 days to close out his practice and protect the interests of existing clients. As of December 4, he is prohibited from accepting new business until he is reinstated, the court order said. Other Lake City lawyers have helped Peacock by taking his active cases.
By suspending Peacock, the Court rejected a recommendation from a court referee to punish him with a public reprimand.
Peacock had his law office in the building that houses the radio station WQLC Power Country 102. He is a radio personality on WQLC, known as "Cousin Ron", hosting Saturday morning classics and Sunday Morning Gospel programs. He had worked with the late Robert "Unkle Bob" Hendrickson. Following Hendrickson's death Oct. 20, Peacock was named acting general manager of WQLC.
The suspension of his legal practice is based on a complaint to the Florida Bar Association. The Bar complaint stated that Peacock was hired by Robert Sprague to represent him in a wrongful death of Sprague's mother in a Jacksonville nursing home. After filing for a 90-day extension of the statute of limitations, Peacock researched the law and determined that the case should not be pursued because damages were not recoverable, the Bar wrote.
The complaint added that Peacock, "even though believing the case should not be pursued, filed a complaint alleging nursing home negligence, personal injury and wrongful death." After filing the complaint, Peacock "failed to do anything of record in the case... in violation of Rule 4-1.3 (Diligence) of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar."
Because he failed to recognize that he had a duty to withdraw from the case if he was not going to pursue it, "He did not possess the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness and preparation reasonably necessary for the representation."
The wrongful death case was dismissed for lack of action and the Bar wrote that Peacock "failed to inform Sprague that he might be liable for attorney's fees and costs."
The complaint filed with the Florida Supreme Court concludes with a recommendation that Peacock be "appropriately disciplined."
The Florida Supreme Court assigned a referee, Judge Nikki Ann Clark, to conduct disciplinary proceedings. She confirmed the facts filed by the Bar Association. At the penalty phase, Peacock was represented by attorney Clifford Adams, with testimony by Robert Henderickson. Peacock's secretary/paralegal, Vanessa Sarrell was called as a witness.
Judge Clark wrote that the case was an isolated incident and she found "an absence of a dishonest of selfish motive." She also cited personal and emotional problems, including health problems.
Aggravating factors were noted: "Prior Discipline: In Supreme Court Case SC83,087... Respondent (Peacock) was awarded a 60-day suspension for 1) making a false oath and intentionally failing to fully disclose his finances in his own bankruptcy case and 2) lying to a judge concerning the whereabouts of his witness."
Judge Clark also recommended that Peacock be required to take additional continuing education courses in ethics and that he be prohibited from handling wrongful death cases.
Peacock could not be reached for comment.
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Source: The Lake City Journal
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