2 Boca lawyers disbarred by Fla. high court

Four Palm Beach County attorneys are among 21 statewide who were recently disciplined by the Florida Supreme Court.

Two Boc a Raton attorneys — Jason Dalley and Lori Kovacs — were disbarred, another Boca attorney was suspended for three years and a Palm Beach lawyer was suspended from the practice of law indefinitely, according to orders the high court issued between May 15 and July 12.

Dalley lost his abilit y to practice law after he was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for his role in a $23 million auto insurance fraud scheme. Dalley, who has been a member of the Florida Bar since October 1995, was also ordered to pay nearly $1.84 million in restitution in connection with the kickback operation.

By agreeing to voluntarily relinquish his license, the high court agreed Dalley may one day be able to practice law. But the court noted that relinquishing a license is tantamount to disbarment.

Kovacs, who has practiced law in Florida since 1991, was disbarred after she failed to respond to inquiries from the Florida Bar about questionable financial matters. The bar was investigating why a check from a trust account bounced. She was found in contempt for failing to appear and testify before a Bar grievance committee.

Frederick Joseph Keitel III, of Palm Beach, was suspended from the practice of law for similar reasons, Bar officials said. The suspension goes into effect this month, 30 days after the court’s July 10 order. Keitel, who has practiced law since 1991, was found in contempt for failing to respond to Bar questions about a complaint that was filed against him.

Byron Gregory Petersen, o f B o c a Rat o n, was s us - pended from the practice of law for three years on July 5. Petersen, who has practiced in Florida since 1976, neglected cases and failed to communicate with clients, Bar officials said.