Tallahassee attorney Chuck Hobbs suspended from law practice for a year

Longtime local attorney Chuck Hobbs has been suspended from practicing law for the next year, the Florida Supreme Court ordered last week.  

Hobbs’ discipline comes after complaints relating to a criminal case he worked on. The 1-year suspension took effect Sept. 24, according to The Florida Bar, an official arm of the Supreme Court, which made the announcement the same day.

In one complaint, he failed to respond to several court orders in a 2017 criminal case, resulting in his client’s appeal being dismissed.

In two others, he did not "diligently communicate" with the same clients. And in yet another, he failed to respond to court orders asking why the case should not have been dismissed, the Supreme Court found. 

In a statement to the Tallahassee Democrat, Hobbs said the rigorous work as a sole practitioner, in which he handled trial and appeals cases, affected him both physically and mentally.

“The rigors of a solo law practice took a tremendous toll on my health in the forms of weight gain, hypertension, anxiety, diabetes, and depression," he wrote. "These issues, along with poor time management, led to (instances) in which I did not accomplish duties in a timely manner for some clients who entrusted their cases to me. 

“While these clients had or will still have their days in court, my delays hurt their confidence in me and delayed their legal matters," Hobbs added. "For that I am remorseful, and it is my prayer that this time away will allow me to continue to get healthier and come back as a stronger lawyer for my clients.” 

Hobbs has handled hundreds of cases, including at one time representing now-convicted quadruple murder defendant Henry Segura. In 2006, he was the attorney for four Florida A&M University students in the first felony hazing case in the country.

The University of Florida law school graduate was briefly an Assistant State Attorney under then-State Attorney Willie Meggs after being admitted to practice in Florida in 2000. He started his own practice in 2001 and at one time was a contributing Tallahassee Democrat columnist. He still posts commentary on a Facebook page that has over 18,000 followers.

He previously was briefly suspended in 2014, also for not responding and failing to diligently represent his clients, among other charges, records show.

Contact Karl Etters at ketters@tallahassee.com or @KarlEtters on Twitter.

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