On Monday, a Palm Beach County judge ruled in favor of the law firm Shapiro & Fishman, saying the state attorney general has no power to subpoena or investigate law firms, reports the Palm Beach Post.
Judge Jack S. Cox rejected a subpoena filed by Florida Attorney General, Bill Mc Collum seeking information regarding the foreclosure practices of the law firm Shapiro & Fishman.
According to Cox, it is responsibility of the Florida Bar to investigate law firms, not the attorney general.
Cox also said in his ruling that the subpoena served by the attorney general was “vague, inconsistent and unduly burdensome”.
In August, Florida’s Attorney General launched three investigations into allegations of unfair and deceptive actions by Florida law firms handling foreclosure cases. The law firms being investigated are: Marshall C. Watson, P.A. of Fort Lauderdale; Shapiro & Fisherman, LLP of Tampa; and the Law Offices of David J. Stern, P.A. of Plantation, Florida.
It is unclear whether or not the attorney general will appeal today’s ruling.
