Miccosukee Tribe can't be sued by attorneys who received $4 million settlement

Wednesday, August 9, 2017  

The Miccosukee Tribe can't be sued by two of its former attorneys, an appeals court in Florida ruled.

Sovereign immunity protects the tribe from being sued without its consent, the Third District Court of Appeal said on Wednesday. The decision was unanimous but it came after the tribe already paid a $4 million settlement to attorneys Guy Lewis and Michael Tein.

Lewis and Tein represented the tribe during some high-profile legal affairs before their relationship soured amid accusations of malpractice. They had accused the tribe and a subsequent attorney, Bernardo Roman, of ruining their reputations.

“The tribe built the bonfire and Mr. Roman ... poured kerosine on it on a daily basis,” Tein told a judge last month in proceedings that could lead to Roman being disbarred in Florida, The Miami Herald reported.

The tribe eventually fired Roman. Its relationship with yet another attorney, Dexter Lehtinen, also broke down amid claims of bad advice.

Read More on the Story:
Miccosukee Tribe can’t be sued by former lawyers, appeals courts rules in bitter legal battle (The Miami Herald August 9, 2017)
Miccosukee tribal lawyer should be permanently disbarred over bogus lawsuits, judge hears (The Miami Herald July 7, 2017)

Third District Court of Appeal Decision:
Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida v. Tein (August 9, 2017)

Miccosukee Tribe agrees to $4M settlement with former law firm (May 20, 2016)
Miccosukee Tribe returns Billy Cypress to power despite theft claim (March 8, 2016)
Miccosukee Tribe removes Chairman Colley Billie from office (November 11, 2015)
Appeals court opens leader of Miccosukee Tribe to IRS summons (June 2, 2015)
Miccosukee Tribe fires attorney after being hit with huge fine (May 12, 2015)
Federal judge hits Miccosukee Tribe lawyer with $1M in sanctions (January 16, 2015)
Judge delays contempt decision for chairman of Miccosukee Tribe (December 23, 2014)
Federal judge won't be removed from Miccosukee Tribe's case (October 24, 2014)
Miccosukee Tribe seeks removal of judge in dispute with lawyers (September 11, 2014)