This article provides a jurisdictional and disciplinary analysis of legal professionals named Jonathan Silverman, focusing on the most recent and relevant developments. Each profile is delineated by bar admission, practice focus, and formal proceedings to inform retention, referral, and risk management decisions.
1. North Carolina Disbarment of Jonathan Silverman
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Effective Date
- July 2024: North Carolina State Bar issued a final order of disbarment against Sanford attorney Jonathan Silverman, mandating immediate surrender of his law license.
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Disciplinary History
- 2016 Suspension: Imposed a three-year suspension for conflict of interest and an improper sexual relationship with a client under Rule 1.7 (concurrent conflicts) and Rule 1.8(j) (sexual relations with client).
- Partial Stay: In August 2017, the State Bar stayed the suspension after 18 months, subject to probationary conditions and strict supervision.
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Grounds for 2024 Disbarment
- Violation of Probationary Terms: Failure to comply with mandated continuing legal education and supervision requirements.
- Ethical Breaches: Repeated communication failures and mishandling of client funds, in contravention of Rule 1.15 (safekeeping property) and Rule 8.4 (misconduct).
2. Civil Litigation Partner in Georgia and Florida
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Current Position
- Partner, Wicker, Smith, O’Hara, McCoy & Ford, P.A.
- Atlanta Office (est. 2021 branch launch); former Naples, FL base of operations.
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Bar Admissions & Tenure
- Florida Bar (Admitted 2011; Member #XXXXXX)
- Georgia Bar (Admitted 2018; Member #XXXXXX)
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Practice Areas
- General Negligence & Premises Liability: Defends property owners in slip-and-fall and negligent‐security claims.
- Medical Malpractice Defense: Manages expert witnesses and Daubert challenges in high‐exposure cases.
- Auto Negligence & Wrongful Death: Coordinates multi-vehicle collision litigations under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2.
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Professional Recognition
- Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch”: 2023–2024 designation for rising excellence in civil defense.
3. Chicago’s S. Jonathan Silverman—Of Counsel Profile
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Role & Firm
- Of Counsel, Massey & Gail LLP, Chicago, IL.
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Practice Concentrations
- Securities Litigation: Handles Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5 claims.
- Toxic Tort & Environmental Defense: Applies Risk Assessment methodologies under CERCLA.
- Antitrust & Trade-Secrets: Litigates under the Clayton Act and Defend Trade Secrets Act.
- Intellectual Property & Employment: Advises on patent licensing disputes and non-compete enforcement.
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Professional Credentials
- Admitted to Illinois Bar; U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois; various federal appellate courts.
4. Comparative Analysis and Implications
| Profile | Jurisdiction | Status | Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Silverman (Sanford, NC) | NC | Disbarred (July 2024) | Former general practice; now ineligible |
| Jonathan Silverman (Atlanta/Naples) | FL, GA | Active Partner | Civil litigation & insurance defense |
| S. Jonathan Silverman (Chicago) | IL | Of Counsel | Securities, toxic tort, antitrust, IP |
- Risk Assessment: The NC disbarment highlights the criticality of monitoring probationary compliance and avoiding conflicts under Model Rules 1.7 and 1.8.
- Due Diligence: For potential clients or referring counsel, verify bar status via state bar directories and obtain recent certificates of good standing.
- Engagement Strategy: In active jurisdictions, ensure clear retainer agreements with scope delineation, fee provisions, and termination clauses to mitigate malpractice exposure.
Next Steps:
- Disbarment Documentation: Counsel seeking the full PDF of the NC disbarment order may request access for case file review.
- Case Outcome Analysis: Parties interested in the Atlanta office’s defense track record can query recent verdicts or appellate decisions.
- Conflict Checks: Referring firms should cross-reference client rosters against each Jonathan Silverman to preempt conflicts.
