Attorney Guy Rubin of Jacksonville; ethical leprechaun

The state of Florida presented Guy Bennett Rubin with a law license in 1987 after he graduated from Nova Southeastern University Law School.

The Florida State Bar Grievance Committee found Guy guilty of the following misconduct.

In one matter, Matthew Guettler hired Guy to pursue a civil action on his behalf. The 2007 fee agreement contained the following fee charges in the event Guettler discharged Guy prior to the resolution by judgment or settlement of his claims that Guettler would have to pay Guy.

• $500 an hour for Guy’s services
• $400 an hour for Guy’s associate attorney’s services
• $150 an hour for paralegal services
• $100 an hour for legal assistant services

Shortly thereafter, Guettler fired Guy and instructed him to dismiss his pending lawsuit. Guy responded by demanding that Guettler pay him $36,550 in fees. When Guettler refused to pay, Guy sued him for breach of contract.

Subsequently, the trial court tossed Guy’s lawsuit for fees via a ruling for summary judgment for Guettler. In its dismissal ruling the trial court found that Guy’s fee agreement contained a prohbited “penalty clause,” which constituted an excessive fee.

As a consequence of his misconduct, the apologists for Attorney Misfits sitting on the Florida Supreme Court punished Guy by gifting him with a complimentary reprimand.

As we speak (ca. January 2014) Guy practices with Rubin & Rubin at 1649 Atlantic Blvd in Jacksonville, Florida.