Another Florida Month
From the August 2025 Florida Bar discipline summaries
Marie Delapena, P.O. Box 135184, Clermont, suspended due to a felony conviction effective 30 days following a July 9 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2019) On or about June 20, 2025, a jury in a federal criminal proceeding found Delapena guilty of 15 felony counts of Wire Fraud and 22 felony counts of Bank Fraud. Delapena’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 3, 2025. The Supreme Court of Florida has ordered that a referee recommend the appropriate disciplinary sanction for Delapena’s criminal misconduct. (Case No. SC2024-1812)
Michael B. Halla, 187 Rolling Ct., Lancaster, TX, interim felony suspension effective 30 days following a July 14 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2017) Halla was convicted of two counts of Criminally Negligent Homicide in Ellis Co. Texas Case Nos. 49466CR and 49465CR. (Case No. SC2025-1005)
KRLD 1080 reported on the Halla case
The former city attorney for Ferris is now on probation for the next 10 years for killing two in an accident.
A jury in Waxahachie rejected calls from the State for manslaughter convictions and instead found lawyer Michael Halla guilty of lesser charges of criminally negligent homicide.
On November of 2021, Halla was on his way to a Ferris city council meeting when he hit a 36-year-old man and his five-year-old son as they crossed Ferris road Highway 664. Edward and Ethan were killed just steps away from their Ferris home.
According to the Ellis County Press, Halla was identified as the driver the night of the crash. He was released pending the outcome of the investigation. The investigation determined that Halla was driving his Ford Explorer recklessly when he struck Edward and his son.
Zachary A. Harrington, 1203 E New Orleans Ave., Suite B, Tampa, emergency suspension effective August 18, per a July 18 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2007) Harrington misappropriated settlement proceeds belonging to a client. Harrington represented a client at mediation which resulted in a $20,000 settlement, $14,000 for the client and $6,000 for Harrington’s legal fees. Harrington confirmed receipt and deposit of the funds and failed to respond to his client’s repeated requests for the disbursement of the settlement proceeds. (Case No. SC2025-0990)
Elliot Ari Kozolchyk, 800 NE 62nd St., Suite 421, Fort Lauderdale, public reprimand to be administered by appearance before the referee, Professionalism Workshop, and one year probation with conditions, effective immediately following a July 10 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2009) Kozolchyk was referred to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida Ad Hoc Committee on Attorney Admissions, Peer Review and Attorney Grievance by two federal judges regarding his conduct in certain “last paycheck” cases. Kozolchyk delayed the resolution of the cases by refusing to settle his attorney’s fees in proportion to the amount the underlying claim was worth. Kozolchyk was placed on probation by the federal Ad Hoc Committee. (Case No. SC2024-1691)
Alexa Martinez, 11945 SW 81st St., Miami, suspended for 90 days effective 30 days following a June 19 court order. (Admitted to Practice: 2016) The court found that Martinez obstructed another party’s access to evidence, filed frivolous assertions in her filings, disobeyed an obligation under the rules of the tribunal, and, ultimately, determined her dishonest conduct caused prejudice to the administration of justice. (Case No. SC2023-0421)
(Mike Frisch)