B & W Condominium Association v. Blackboard Insurance Company

Filing 18

ORDER directing compliance. Attorney Santi is sanctioned and referred to the grievance committee. See order for details. The Clerk of the Court is DIRECTED to email a copy of this order to the Chair of the Grievance Committee, Lee Hollander, at [e-mail]. Signed by Magistrate Judge Nicholas P. Mizell on 1/7/2025. (RCD)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
FORT MYERS DIVISION
B & W CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION,
Plaintiff,
v.

2:24-cv-942-JES-NPM

BLACKBOARD INSURANCE COMPANY,
Defendant.
SANCTION ORDER AND REFERRAL TO GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE
Attorney Carlos L. Santi represents Plaintiff B & W Condominium
Association. In persistent disregard of the court’s rules and orders, Santi has
repeatedly failed to file his client’s Local Rule 3.03 disclosure. In fact, he failed to
do so despite the court’s directives in three separate orders. (Docs. 5, 13, and 17).
He was also reminded twice, and failed twice, to file a notice of lead counsel
designation. (Docs. 8 and 16).
Courts routinely dismiss cases for less egregious misconduct. Rather than
dismiss this case, the court requires Santi to file his client’s Local Rule 3.03
disclosure IMMEDIATELY. Moreover, having failed to show cause why he should
not be sanctioned (Doc. 17), Santi must certify by January 21, 2025, that he has paid
$200 to the Southwest Florida Federal Court Bar Association. The Association will
use these funds in its ongoing efforts to elevate the practice of law.
Also, this matter is referred to the court’s grievance committee to either

provide Santi counseling1 on improving his practices or to recommend appropriate
remedial action. The Clerk of the Court is hereby DIRECTED to email a copy of
this order to the Chair of the Grievance Committee, Lee Hollander, at
[e-mail].
ORDERED on January 7, 2025

1

If the committee finds Santi receptive to its counseling and that such counseling will likely
deter substandard practices and otherwise suffice as appropriate corrective action, then it may
elect under Local Rule 2.04(c)(4)(C)(i) to terminate its investigation and report as much to the
court.