The Florida Bar has lodged a series of formal complaints against Tampa-based attorney Dennis Hernandez, spotlighting his Sarasota office and raising serious questions about his professional conduct. These allegations range from the improper delegation of legal counsel to paralegals to accusations of overcharging clients for minimal or nonexistent legal services.
Dennis Hernandez, operating under Dennis Hernandez & Associates, is now the subject of a comprehensive 54-page disciplinary complaint filed in May. The Florida Supreme Court has directed a Pinellas County judge to preside over the hearing, indicating the gravity of the situation.
One notable complaint originates from Elizabeth Whitlock, a Sarasota resident who sought Hernandez’s firm’s assistance to navigate a complex mortgage situation she felt was both incomprehensible and financially unsustainable. Whitlock alleges she paid the firm $17,000 upfront but received no tangible legal services in return.
A significant portion of the Florida Bar’s concerns centers on Hernandez’s Sarasota office located downtown. This isn’t the first time Hernandez has faced scrutiny. Florida Bar spokeswoman Creston Nelson-Morrill noted that his record includes complaints dating back to 1999, when he was initially accused of misrepresentation and subsequently completed the Bar’s ethics program.
Further Bar records reveal that in 2005, Hernandez faced a broader spectrum of complaints, encompassing excessive fees, professional incompetence, misrepresentation, obstruction of justice, issues with trust fund management, and client neglect. These recurring issues paint a troubling picture of his professional practices.
Adding to the public scrutiny, former Riverview resident Tim Griffith has launched an online campaign to raise awareness about the case. Griffith engaged Hernandez’s Tampa office for legal representation during a stock sale with a former employer. Griffith claims the firm mishandled his case and retained his $25,000 retainer without providing adequate legal services. He is now pursuing legal action against the firm for damages and has created a website dedicated to highlighting Hernandez’s alleged misconduct. “They did nothing for me,” Griffith stated, now residing in Pennsylvania. “I asked them in a gentlemanly manner to return my deposit, and they never even answered me. I can’t let someone steal $25,000 from me.”
The recent Florida Bar complaint also highlights instances involving paralegal Harry M. Walsh Jr., who allegedly misrepresented himself as an attorney, dispensed legal advice, and billed clients at a senior associate rate of $300 per hour. These allegations underscore serious ethical breaches within Hernandez’s practice.
Attempts to reach Hernandez at his Tampa firm for comment on Thursday were unsuccessful.
If the Pinellas County judge substantiates the complaints, the Florida Supreme Court possesses the authority to impose sanctions ranging from a simple reprimand to the ultimate penalty of disbarment. The severity of the potential repercussions reflects the seriousness of the allegations against Dennis Hernandez Lawyer and his firm.
Adding another layer of complexity, Hernandez is also entangled in personal legal troubles. He faces charges of false imprisonment and domestic battery stemming from an alleged incident involving his ex-girlfriend on New Year’s Day 2006. A trial is anticipated to commence in late July, further compounding the legal pressures surrounding Dennis Hernandez.
