Trust is the bedrock of the legal profession. When an attorney is convicted of a felony or involved in conduct that endangers the public, the Florida Supreme Court acts decisively. For Tampa-based attorney Patricia Anne Bronson (also known as Patricia Anne Horal, Bar No. 44197), a series of criminal incidents has resulted in permanent disciplinary revocation.
Effective April 10, 2025, the Supreme Court of Florida granted Bronson’s uncontested petition for disciplinary revocation without leave to seek readmission. In Florida, disciplinary revocation is considered “tantamount to disbarment,” and because she cannot reapply, it is a permanent ban from the practice of law.
The Core Misconduct: Felony Convictions and Public Safety
The final revocation was the result of multiple compounding legal and ethical issues that surfaced between 2023 and 2025:
1. Felony Contraband Conviction
The primary driver for the 2025 revocation was Bronson’s guilty plea to one count of introduction of contraband into a detention facility, a third-degree felony. Following this plea in July 2024, the court withheld adjudication and sentenced her to 18 months of probation.
2. Child Neglect Allegations
In October 2023, Bronson gained national attention after being arrested for third-degree felony child neglect. Witnesses reported she left two young children (ages 3 and 7) unattended at Upham Beach for over 30 minutes. A witness reportedly rescued the 3-year-old from waist-deep water while Bronson was absent.
3. Reckless Driving (DUI Case)
Bronson also faced disciplinary investigation stemming from a 2022 arrest for Driving Under the Influence (DUI). She eventually pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of reckless driving, receiving 12 months of probation.
A Decisive Disciplinary Timeline
Bronson’s legal career, which began in 2007, was marked by several interactions with the Florida Bar:
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November 2017: Suspended for 90 days for allowing a non-lawyer paralegal to engage in the unlicensed practice of law and solicit clients on her behalf.
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November 21, 2024: The Supreme Court issued an Order of Suspension following her felony contraband conviction.
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April 10, 2025: The Supreme Court finalized the Permanent Revocation (Case No. SC2025-0085), dismissing all other pending disciplinary cases in exchange for the permanent loss of her license.
Professional Impact and Costs
At the time of her 2023 arrest, Bronson was associated with the Global Operations Center of the major international law firm White & Case in Tampa. Following the court’s order:
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Termination of Status: She is no longer permitted to practice law or give legal advice in Florida.
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Reciprocal Action: She was immediately suspended from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and other federal jurisdictions.
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Financial Judgment: She was ordered to pay $1,293.50 in recovery costs to the Florida Bar and must reimburse the Client Security Fund for any claims resulting from her conduct.
Conclusion: Protecting the Integrity of the Bar
The permanent revocation of Patricia Anne Bronson represents the ultimate sanction for a Florida attorney. By ensuring she can never seek readmission, the Florida Supreme Court has prioritized the protection of the public over the rehabilitation of a member of the bar.
