Boca Raton attorney suspended for 3 years

A 66-year-old Boca Raton attorney was suspended on Thursday from the practice of law for three years by the Florida Supreme Court.

The punishment imposed on Byron Petersen was far more severe than the 90-day suspension recommended by the Florida Bar. Justices unanimously agreed it was in keeping with discipline it has recently meted out to other attorneys for similar ethical transgressions.

In a 29-page order, justices acknowledged that Petersen vehemently disputed allegations that he violated professional rules in his lengthy and multifaceted representation of Robert and Wendy Gielchinsky and their various business ventures, including North American Tobacco Import Co.

But, the high court said, while all of the facts weren’t clear-cut, they were convinced that Petersen created an adversary relationship with the Gielchinskys, didn’t keep them informed about the status of their litigation and made several material misrepresentations to a judge in connection with one of the lawsuits.

Petersen, who was reprimanded in 2010 after he pleaded guilty in Miami-Dade County to charges of criminal mischief and stalking, can ask the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision. He was given 30 days to close his practice and ordered to pay $7,500 in connection with the costs of the investigation.

Petersen wasn’t immediately available for comment.