In Then Arrested (January 2021), I noted former attorney Bradley Douglas. He had been the focus of earlier complaints that were discussed in A Disciplined Attorney and Repercussions (September 2018). The approximately three-year delay between disbarment and arrest was reasonably apparent.
In that instance, the Florida Supreme Court had granted Mr. Douglas' "petition for disciplinary revocation" in SC18-709 on June 7, 2018. The petition itself describes the charges that were then pending. Essentially, these were each instances in which a workers' compensation case settled and the resulting funds were not paid to the injured worker.
After those various Florida Bar complaints in 2018, Mr. Douglas was disbarred within the year. It was almost three years later that criminal charges were brought, as noted in Then Arrested.
I noted there that the described situation "would be lamentable and troublesome if it were isolated." And that post then documents other instances of allegations of people taking others' money.
In August 2022, I returned to the topic of a Petition for Disciplinary Revocation (August 2022). This instance involved Gus Vincent Soto, who had practiced in workers' compensation as long as I can remember (admitted to The Florida Bar in 1984). He had been Board Certified since 1991. He was known in the community as a bright attorney.
Mr. Soto had then been issued a "Petition for Contempt" for failing to respond to Bar inquiries. A subpoena had been issued on December 9, 2021, and the Bar petitioned for contempt in late February 2022. The Supreme Court granted that on May 16, 2022, and suspended Mr. Soto from practicing law.
Mr. Soto filed a Petition for Disciplinary Revocation rapidly, dated April 19, 2022. This noted multiple pending cases before a bar Greivance Committee, and more in the Bar investigative process.
Mr. Soto's petition agreed to an audit of his accounts, to provide a sworn financial statement to the Bar, and to "eliminate all indicia of petitioner's status as an attorney on:
on social media, telephone listings, stationery, checks, business cards, office signs, or any other indicia of his status as an attorney, whatsoever, as soon as reasonably possible and circumstances would permit. Petitioner will no longer hold himself out as a licensed attorney.
On June 16, 2022, The Florida Supreme Court granted the petition, case number SC22-505. The main distinction between this petition and Mr. Douglas' was that Mr. Douglas left open the option of later reapplying to be an attorney again. Mr. Soto did not, and the Court therefore noted "his revocation is permanent."
The Court's order says Mr. Soto "shall pay restitution" of $396,931 to various individuals. The story faded into history. More than three years later, WCTV Tallahassee reported recently, "Disbarred Tallahassee attorney arrested for allegedly stealing worker’s comp check from client." It has been well over three years since the June 2022 disbarment and restitution order.
The story proceeds to say that Mr. Soto was "arrested for allegedly stealing from one of his clients." This instance identifies a "$45,000 workers' compensation settlement," and an allegation that the client's name was "forged" on a settlement check in 2021. Allegedly, this client inquired about the funds recently, "not knowing that (Mr.) Soto had been disbarred in 2022."
The WCTV story mentions the accusations "of not paying nearly $400,000 to five other clients." It is not clear, however, whether those funds have now all been repaid as the Court ordered, or whether those allegations are included in the current criminal allegations. It is also not clear whether efforts have been made to remove public references and social media suggesting Mr. Soto is an attorney.
Today, a simple internet search returned multiple news references to Mr. Soto's challenges described above. But, it also returned multiple references to Mr. Soto's law practice without any notation of its closure. Only one, Avvo, noted a suggestion of questions: "this lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2023." No mention of disbarment or no longer being licensed.
(See images below, printed November 23, 2025, from Avvo, Findlaw, Google, Jacobs and Whitehall, Law Call, Lawayer.com, Lawyer Legion, lawyer.com, lawyers.com, LinkedIn, Martindale Hubbell, and even the Yellow Pages).
In fact, Martindale Hubbell describes Mr. Soto as "distinguished" in its listing. The "distinguished" icon in his listing says "2025." Martindale has been discussed here before, see Reproval for AV-Preeminent Lawyer (December 2023).
The point of all of this is rather simple. If you settle your workers' compensation case, you should receive the funds reasonably quickly. When you get the money, you should receive a document that describes how much you are getting and what was kept by the law firm (fees and expenses). This "Closing Statement" is your right, according to The Florida Bar publication A Consumer Guide to Clients' Rights.
It is also important to remember that what is reflected on the internet may not be accurate or current. It is possible that an internet search will return information that is dated, incomplete, or simply not true. This is true of websites and social media platforms. This inaccuracy may be true even if a former attorney is ordered to remove such information.
Some such references may be easier for an ex-lawyer to address than others. With some, removal may be as easy as a few clicks. Others, perhaps, require more time and dedication. Should it matter whether the ex-lawyer sought such a listing in the first instance? Some allege that listing on some of these "directories" occurs without request or even permission. Nonetheless, cancelling your LinkedIn, Twitter, and similar accounts is easy and quick.
This internet caution is not limited to law firms or even to the internet. The customer should be wary of all advertisements. An ancient Latin caution, "caveat emptor," means "let the buyer beware" and is good advice in any commercial transaction. It is very good advice in situations that may involve the person you hire holding your rights in their hands and perhaps holding tens of thousands of dollars of your money.
When you hire an attorney, you should have clear communication of expectations (the goal or goals). Ask the attorney to predict the timeline (when) the necessary efforts (how), and follow up periodically. The lawyer should keep you informed, but you should also make efforts to stay in contact. If you move, get a new phone number, or change email addresses, you should tell your lawyer.
If the lawyer will not return calls after several attempts, you may want to visit their office, send them an email, or write a letter. No, you do not jump to such actions after your first call is not immediately returned. People have calendar commitments and multiple responsibilities. Be patient. But do not forget your relationship with the lawyer; don't be too forgiving. After multiple unsuccessful attempts, you may decide it is time to contact The Florida Bar for advice.
