In the legal profession, an attorney’s reputation is built on candor and compliance across all jurisdictions where they hold a license. When a lawyer engages in deceptive practices or fails to respect the integrity of the bench, the Florida Supreme Court takes corrective action to safeguard the public. For Boca Raton attorney W. Jeffrey Barnes (Florida Bar No. 746479), a pattern of multi-jurisdictional misconduct has resulted in a three-year suspension.
Effective October 27, 2025, the Florida Supreme Court issued a final order (Case No. SC2024-1832) approving a conditional guilty plea that removes Barnes from the practice of law for three years.
The Core Misconduct: Reciprocal Discipline and Dishonesty
The 2025 disciplinary action against Jeffrey Barnes was largely based on reciprocal discipline—a process where one state bar imposes sanctions based on misconduct already proven in another state. The findings against Barnes involved a broad spectrum of ethical breaches:
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Misrepresentation in Applications: Barnes made false statements in pro hac vice (temporary) admission applications in Tennessee, failing to disclose prior disciplinary actions and misrepresenting his standing.
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Impugning Judicial Integrity: The Florida Bar found that Barnes engaged in conduct that impugned the qualifications and integrity of a judge, violating fundamental professional standards.
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Financial Mismanagement: Reciprocal findings from Colorado detailed instances where Barnes failed to deposit client retainers into trust accounts and delayed providing refunds or accountings after being terminated by clients.
A History of Disciplinary Interventions
Jeffrey Barnes has been licensed in Florida since 1988 and was well-known for his focus on mortgage foreclosure defense. However, his disciplinary record reveals a decade of escalating conflict with bar regulators:
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January 2019: Received a Public Censure in Tennessee for misrepresentations on court applications.
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May 2022: Issued a nine-month suspension by the Colorado Supreme Court for trust account violations and client neglect.
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March 2024: Suspended for ten days by the Florida Supreme Court for failing to respond to Bar inquiries.
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September 2025: Formally sanctioned with a three-year suspension in Florida, effectively halting his national foreclosure defense practice.
Requirements for the Three-Year Suspension
A three-year suspension is a “rehabilitative” sanction in Florida, meaning it is not automatically lifted after the time expires. To return to practice, Barnes must:
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Close Practice Immediately: Within 30 days of the September order, Barnes was required to withdraw from all representation, notify all clients/courts, and remove all indications of his status as a Florida Bar member from his websites and marketing.
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Pay Restitution: He was ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution to a former client and cover $1,623.25 in disciplinary costs.
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Prove Rehabilitation: After the three-year period, he must undergo a formal hearing to prove his fitness to practice law.
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Pass the MPRE: As a condition of potential reinstatement, he must successfully pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE).
Conclusion: Upholding National Standards
The case of W. Jeffrey Barnes serves as a reminder that the Florida Bar closely monitors an attorney’s behavior in other states. Attempting to bypass disclosure rules or failing to manage client funds properly—regardless of the state—can lead to the loss of one’s primary license. For those seeking current information on any attorney, the Florida Bar’s “Find a Lawyer” tool is the authoritative source for disciplinary status.
