Retired Lawyer Sues Florida Bar Over Free Speech
Steven G. Mason alleges the bar violated constitutional rights after a bankruptcy hearing grievance and a vague September 29 letter.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Law
Live Poll
Should lawyers face bar discipline for criticizing judges' handling of court cases?
Retired Florida lawyer Steven G. Mason filed a lawsuit against the Florida Bar in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division. The complaint alleges violations of the First, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments.
Why it matters
The case tests how state bar regulators may respond to a licensed lawyer who has stopped practicing and who has criticized a federal judge. It adds to Mason's two earlier lawsuits against the Florida Bar.
The complaint is 8 pages long and was filed in the Orlando Division of the Middle District of Florida. The Florida Bar's September 29 correspondence did not cite a specific rule, and it is not yet known whether the bar has responded.
The players
Steven G. Mason
A retired, licensed Florida lawyer from Altamonte Springs who has stopped practicing and has no clients.
Florida Bar
The statewide regulatory body that licenses and disciplines lawyers in Florida.
Grace E. Robson
A federal bankruptcy judge whose courtroom Mason attended and whom he later filed a grievance against.
The details
Mason attended a September 16 bankruptcy hearing in Judge Grace E. Robson's courtroom as a spectator and did not speak or represent any party. He later filed a grievance against Robson with the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and Robson admonished him and ordered the grievance publicly disclosed.
Timeline
September 16: Mason attends bankruptcy hearing as a spectator in Judge Robson's courtroom.
September 29: Mason receives correspondence from the Florida Bar that does not cite a specific rule.
October 2026: Mason files the lawsuit against the Florida Bar.
Legal Context
The suit invokes the First Amendment protections that govern lawyer speech about judicial conduct, a question that bar discipline cases have repeatedly tested in federal courts. Mason's complaint also asserts Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment claims concerning the bar's process.
Lawyers in Florida who comment on judges or face bar inquiries may watch this case closely for how bar correspondence and First Amendment claims are handled. The outcome could affect how bar communications are framed for licensed attorneys, including those who no longer practice.
The takeaway
Licensed professionals who engage in public criticism of the courts should understand how their state bar may respond and what constitutional protections apply. Reviewing bar rules and communications carefully can help clarify obligations.
Further reading
Explore more Florida Law coverage for context on state bar and courtroom disputes.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Legal Newsline.
Live Poll
Should lawyers face bar discipline for criticizing judges' handling of court cases?
