The Florida Bar v. Strems

The Florida Supreme Court reviewed two consolidated referee reports concerning Scot Strems, sole owner of the Strems Law Firm, a high-volume first-party property insurance practice plagued by Kozel dismissals, weekly sanctions, and section 57.105 awards. The Court approved most findings of guilt for firm mismanagement, frivolous claims, and false affidavits, and additionally found Strems guilty (contrary to the referee) of violating Rules 4-1.2, 4-1.5, and 4-1.7 in connection with a global settlement in which he allocated half of a $45,000 recovery to fees while limiting the elderly client to her prelitigation bottom line. Rejecting the recommended two-year suspension and public reprimand, the Court disbarred Strems based on cumulative misconduct, but declined the Bar's request for permanent disbarment.

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