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Zephyrhills lawyer quits over complaints

PASCO TIMES
Published November 2, 2005

To avoid disciplinary proceedings with the Florida Bar, a Zephyrhills probate and estate attorney has resigned.

According to public documents, a grievance committee found Diana Elizabeth Childers in violation of Bar rules in five cases. The pattern in each was similar: Childers would accept a retainer fee of several hundred dollars but then fail to stay in contact with her clients. The clients were unable to contact her.

In all five cases, Childers never responded to the Bar's inquiries into clients' complaints. Childers' resignation took effect last month but was announced Tuesday. She must pay the Bar $2,127 for investigation costs and will be allowed to seek readmission in three years.

Childers first was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1999.

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