nick steffens contempt 2

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Supreme Court of JflortbaTUESDAY, MAY 28, 2013

CASE NO.: SCI2-2607Lower Tribunal No(s).: 2013-50,652(17C)OSC

THE FLORIDA BAR vs. NICHOLAS THEODORESTEFFENS

Complainant(s) Respondent(s)The Florida Bar filed a Petition for Contempt alleging that Respondent has

failed to respond to official Bar inquiries. This Court issued an Order to ShowCause directing Respondent to respond by a date certain why he should not be heldin contempt and suspended until such time as he fully complied in writing to theofficial Bar inquiries. Thereafter, The Florida Bar filed a "Notice of Respondent'sCompliance" stating that Respondent subsequently responded to the inquiries,albeit not in a timely manner. The Court takes very seriously every attorney'sobligation to completely and timely respond to inquiries made by The Florida Bar.Therefore, because Respondent did not respond to the inquiries in a timely manner,Nicholas Theodore Steffens is hereby held in contempt and is hereby publiclyreprimanded.

Judgment is entered for The Florida Bar, 651 East Jefferson Street,Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2300, for recovery of costs from Nicholas TheodoreSteffens in the amount of $1,250.00, for which sum let execution issue.

Not final until time expires to file motion for rehearing, and if filed,determined.POLSTON, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, CANADY, LABARGA, andPERRY, JJ., concur.A True CopyTest:

Clerk, Supreme ComtddServed:KENNETH LAWRENCE MARVIN RONNA FRIEDMAN YOUNGNICHOLAS THEODORE STEFFENS


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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FLORIDA

THE FLORIDA BAR, Supreme Court CaseNo. SC -Complainant,The Florida Bar Filev. No. 2013-50,652 (17C) OSC

NICHOLAS THEODORE STEFFENS,Respondent.

PETITION FOR CONTEMPT AND ORDER TO SHOW CAUSECOMES NOW, The Florida Bar, Complainant, in the above-referenced

matter, pursuant to Rule 3-7.1 l(f), Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, and files thisPetition fo r Contempt and Order to Show Cause, and states the following:

1. A copy of the Findings of Seventeenth Judicial Circuit GrievanceCommittee "C" as to Contempt in Bar File No. 20 12-50,931(1 7C) is attached tothis Petition as "Exhibit 1".

2. As of the date of the service of this Petition, Respondent has failed torespond to official Bar inquiries.

WHEREFORE, The Florida Bar requests that this Court suspend theRespondent pursuant to Rule 3-7.11(f), until such time as he fully responds in


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writing to the official Bar inquiries contained in "Exhibit 1" and until further orderof this Court.

Respectfully submitted,

Ronna Friec^pan Young, Bar CounselThe Florida BarFt. Lauderdale Branch Office-Lake Shore Plaza II1300 Concord Terrace, Suite 130Sunrise, Florida 33323(954) 835-0233Florida Bar No.: 563129RY oung@ flabar. org

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICEI certify the original hereof has been furnished by regular U.S. Mail to theHonorable Thomas D. Hall, Clerk of the Supreme Court of Florida, Supreme CourtBuilding, 500 Duval Street, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-1927; with copies toRespondent, Nicholas Theodore Steffens, by Certified Mail No. 7011 2970 00030076 3338, return receipt requested, whose record bar address is Nicholas T.Steffens & Associates, 9900 W . Sample Rd., Ste. 300, Coral Springs, FL 33065-4077, and to Respondent via email to his record email address, [email protected],

and to Staff Counsel, The Florida Bar, at his designated email address [email protected], this Co day of December, 2012.

Ronna Friedr^kn Young, Bar Counsel


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CERTIFICATE OF TYPE, SIZE AND STYLEI HEREBY CERTIFY that the Petition for Contempt and Order to ShowCause of The Florida Bar is submitted in 14 point proportionately spaced TimesNew Roman font in Microsoft W ord format.

Ronna Friedman Young, Bar Counsel


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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF FLORIDA(Before a Grievance Committee)

THE FLORIDA BAR,Complainant, The Florida Bar FileNo. 2012-50,931(17C)

v.NICHOLAS THEODORE STEFFENS,

Respondent.

FINDINGS OF SEVENTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT GRIEVANCECOMMITTEE "C" AS TO CONTEMPT

Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee "C," by and through itsundersigned Chair, makes the following findings pursuant to Rule 3-7.11(f)(2) ofthe Rules Regulating The Florida Bar:

1. On August 7, 2012, The Florida Bar sent Respondent a letter bycertified U.S. Mail, return receipt requested, to Respondent's record Bar addressand requested a response within 10 days of the date of the letter. A copy of theletter and the signed return receipt card are attached hereto as "Composite ExhibitA".

2. Respondent failed to respond to The Florida Bar as requested in theletter of August 7, 2012.

THE FLORIDA BAR'SEXHIBIT


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3. By letter dated October 4, 2012, sent by certified U.S. ma il, returnreceipt requested, Respondent was given notice that on November 5, 2012,Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee "C" would consider his failureto respond at its meeting on November 5, 2012. A copy of the letter datedOctobers, 2012 and the signed return receipt card are attached hereto as"Composite Exhibit B".

4. Respondent made no response to the letter dated October 4,2012.5. The Grievance Committee considered respondent's failure to respond

at its meeting on November 5, 2012.6. The Grievance Committee found that respondent failed to show good

cause for failing to respond to the official bar inquiries. The com mittee furtherfound respondent to be in contempt and requested that the bar file a Petition forContempt and Order to Show Cause with the Supreme Court of Florida.

Dated this $) day of ]>M*ii-eA , 2012.Seventeenth Judicial CircuitGrievance Committee "C"

BY TV-"Alice Elizabeth Solomon, ChairFlorida BarAfo. 5988608751 We.st Broward Blvd., Su ite 106Fort Lauderdale, FL 33324-2630(954) 652-0100


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THE FLORIDA BARFT. L A U D E R D A L B B R A N C H OFFICEJOHNF.HARKNESS,JR. L A K E S H O R E P L A Z A n (954)835-0233

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 1300 CONCORDTERRACE, SUFTE130 W W W.ru >BiDABAR.ORGS U N R I S E , FLORIDA33323

August 7,2012Via Certified Mai l No, 70112970 0003 0076 3833ReturnReceipt RequestedNicholas Theodore Steffens, Esq.NicholasT. Steffens & Associates9900 W. Sample Rd., Ste. 300Coral Springs, FL 33065-4077Re: Complaint by Domingo Delgado against Nicholas Theodore Steffens

The Florida Bar File No. 2012-50,931 (17C)Dear Mr. Steffens:Enclosed please find copies of two e-mails (with attachments) from the complainant to myassistant Pursuant to R. Regulating Fla Bar 4-8.4(g), please respond to the followinginvestigative inquiries within 10 days:

1. The complainant alleges in these e-mails that he has "had two default judgmentsof which [you were] hired to defend and [have] not replied to the courts or myself."Please respond to this allegation in detail. (The bar notes that the attachments to thecomplainant's e-mails are not judgments or orders but rather, docket sheets).2. By order of the Supreme Court of Florida dated October 11, 2011, you weresuspended from the practice of law for ten days, effective thirty days from the date of theOrder. In November 2011 during your period of suspension, it appears that you werecounsel of record for Mr, Delgado (as indicated by the attachments to Mr. Delgado's e-mails). Please state whether or not you represented Mr. Delgado during the period ofsuspension. If yes, please explain. Please describe any other practice of law during theperiod of your suspension.3. Please produce a copy of your complete file(s) concerning Domingo Delgago.

Please provide a copy of your response to the complainant and show an appropriate "cc."

TH E FLORIDA BAR'S^P^XSfTEXHIBIT


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Nicholas T. Steffens, Esq.TFB File No. 2012-50,931(170)August 7, 2012Page 2Sincerely,

"Sfv -f f r-|-iLiju y******$*"*Ronna Friedman YoungBar CounselRFY/aakEnclosurescc: Domingo Delgado -Within 10 days-by regular mail, please send me a complete copy ofall documents which you received from M r. Steffens including retainer agreements,correspondence, e-mails, billing receipts, etc. Please refrain from sending any further e-mails tothis office. Abo, please be advised that although the disciplinary proceedings are pending,whatever happens will not change the results in any civil cases against you. You should consultwith private counsel of your choice regarding your civil lawsuits.


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-opr RE: Nicholas SteffensVSE domlngo deJgado to. aldine 07/19/2012 01:13PM1 attachmentDEFAULT COURT ORDER.pdf

Hello Ms. Kline,Attached please find adefault mortgage udgement agalnts my wife and !-because Mr. Steffens did notanswer or defend my case. Please contact me as soon as possible to discuss the situation ABest Regards,DomingoDekjado(954) 980-8417To: [email protected]: [email protected]: RE: Ncholas SteffensFrom: aWine@ flabar.orgDate: Thu, 19Jul 2012 10:57:18 -0400Goodmorning,Pleasebeadvisedthat the recordof The FloridaBar indicate Nicholas Steffens current address is 9900W. Sample Road, Suite 300, CoralSprings, FL 33065-4077, telephone: 954-323-8956; [email protected] to our telephoneconversation today, I reminded you of ourtelephone conversation in Februaryand the fact that you weregoing toprovide additional information. You Indicated that youwould providesame.Should you have any additional questions, please contact the undersigned.Thank you.Allyson A. KlineLawyer Regulation- Secretary toBar Counsel Ronna Friedman YoungThe FloridaBarLake Shore Plaza II, Suite1301300 Concord TerraceSunrise, FL 33323(954) 835-0233, ExL 4150(954) 835-0133-fax


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Case Detail Page 1 of2

CASE DETAIL

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Case Detail Page 2 o f2

07/24/200907/24/200907/24/200907/09/200907/09/200907/09/200907/09/200907/09/Z00907/09/200907/09/2009

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RE: NcholasSteffens_dornlngo delgado o.Ann Kline Florida Bar_ 07/20/2012 08:44 AMH.siuiy This message has been replied to .3 attachmentsDEFAULT COURTORDER.pdfcredit card lawsuit l.pdf garnishment credit card lawsultpdf

Hello Ms . Kline,Below you have mentioned that Mr. Steffens hasanew address. I would like tore-assert that I haveattempted to reach Mr. Steffens by mail, email (of which it has never changed) and by phone for the past12 m onths withno reply from him and no communication. My emal and home malingaddress has neverchanged since I have employed his services. Mr. Steffens has in nowaycontacted my wife or I in anyw ay. Also, I have had twodefault judgements ofwhich he w as hired todefend and has notreplied to hecourts or m yself. Attach ed please find docum ents s howing c ourt orders that Mr. Steffens was paid for andnever defended the cases as he was hired to do.Best Regards,Domingo DelgadoTo: dom ingodelgado@ live.comCC: RYoun g@ flabar.orgSubject: RE: Nicholas SteffensFrom: akline@ flabar.orgDate: Thu, 19 Jul 2012 10:57:18-0400Good morning,Please beadvised that the recordof The FloridaBar indicate NcholasSteffens current address is 9900W. Sample Road, Suite 300, Coral Springs,FL 33065-4077, telephone:954-323-8956; [email protected] toour elephone conversation today, I reminded you of our telephoneconversation in Februaryand the fact that youweregoing toprovide additional information. You indicated that youwould providesame.Should you have anyadditionalquestions, please contacttheundersigned.Thank you.Allyson A. KlineLawyer Regulation- Secretary toBar Counsel Ronna Friedman YoungThe Florida BarLake Shore PlazaII, Suite1301300 Concord TerraceSunrise, FL33323(954) 835-0233, Ext. 4150(954) 835-0133-fax


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CASE DETAIL

Broward County Cue Number CACE090J7334CourtTyv< CIvUOtviion-CrcutCourtIncdent Dite NACourt Location CentralCourthouseN/A

SutReporting Number 06200BCA037944AXXXCECMtType riProperty MTQ Forecknure + (priorto 1/1HO)Filing Daw 07nW2ooCueSMui PendingJudge 10 / Name 11 Garcla-Wood, Marina

Styl Bank Ot Am.r NitAnnPteintirt vt.Domngo Dotflado, at el DefendantL PirtymOExpand All ColapseAHt-J Party Detail

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Addtttonil Textordered andadjudged that adefault be entered aganst DomingoDcfcado. Deborah Detaado (see Me)or defaultParty: Plttntfir Bank OfAmer Nat AsmittBCticd orderreached order from Supreme Court of l in case * scu-521/ticholaf T Steffenc, esg'arty:Oefentttnt Cxtuado, Domtngo Defendant Dejoado. Deborah3n defimotion todamns pHTs complarntf denied 30 days toservemswer C o complaint/ denledeto answer comolnt11/23/11 8:4Sam room519if Change of FirmArty of Record FBN/617431>arW: PhnorTMnk Of Amer Nat Assn.2/17/09 8:45 rrn 840ifhaartna9/29/09UT Of Amt Due (Attache)'arty: nkMfrTBank OfAmer Nat Assnigarnst first horizonhome loincorp; maptewood ises hoaisoc nc1/29/09 8:45n foreclosure withassessment of alysfees andcosts/prtflitof pkfs anyaff ofcosts, art of alysrees/pltr/attchdtobon To Dismiss And Inc Memorandum Of Law/deft Domingo Andleborah Detgado(Bci)lobce OfAppearance OfCounsel Nchoas Stettens For Defts3errangoDetoado And Deborah Deloado (LutSums Retd Srvd 07/14/09 DommaoDeOgldo (de)>umt Retd Srvd 07/14/09 Deborah Detaado(9oe)iumc ftetd Srvd 07/10/09 1st Honzon Horn. Loan Corp (9d

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Case Summary Page 1 of 1

CASE SUMMARY

Brownd County OneNumber COWE11D073COCourt Tyot: Civil Dlvialon - County CourtIncUm OAKN/ACourt Location: Weat CourthouteMeBkuau ID/ Nam N/Aatyb- PortfolioRecovery Aoe Uc PlalntsT vs. Domnoo Daloado Defendant

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nick steffens contempt 2

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