The Florida Supreme Court announced on Thursday that Jacksonville attorney Charlie “Chuck” Farah Jr. will be suspended for 90 days. The disciplinary action stems from the court’s February 27, 2025 opinion that Farah violated several professional rules when he helped file thousands of personal‑injury claims against tobacco companies in 2008.
What the court found
According to the court’s opinion, Farah, a senior partner at the Farah & Farah law firm, failed to communicate adequately with clients, did not provide diligent representation, and neglected to secure written contingency agreements. The court said these shortcomings fell short of the standards required of Florida attorneys.
Background of the tobacco litigation
The misconduct relates to a class‑action lawsuit filed on behalf of Floridians who alleged illnesses from cigarette smoking between 1994 and 2006. Farah partnered with fellow Jacksonville lawyer Norwood Wilner, who filed more than 3,000 cases in state and federal courts before the January 11, 2008 deadline. The filings represented 4,432 plaintiffs, including 163 plaintiffs directly originated by Farah’s firm, with Farah’s name appearing in the signature block of each complaint.
After extensive litigation, the cases were narrowed to 415 plaintiffs, and the tobacco companies settled with all of them in 2015. However, a later federal investigation revealed that many of the filings were unauthorized. A questionnaire sent by the Middle District court showed that over 500 of the named plaintiffs had died before a complaint was filed, and 572 never gave permission for Wilner and Farah to sue on their behalf. The investigation also noted that a sitting juror discovered she had been named as an Engle plaintiff only in 2012.
Previous sanctions and the new suspension
Both lawyers were reprimanded by the U.S. District Court in 2017 and ordered to pay $9.16 million, later reduced to $4.3 million, which they split evenly. Wilner received a 91‑day suspension in early 2022 for filing thousands of claims without proper fact‑checking and was denied reinstatement to the Florida Bar after failing to meet reinstatement conditions.
Farah’s case was remanded for further disciplinary sanction, resulting in the current 90‑day suspension and a mandate to pay $2.16 million in legal fees. He must also attend the Florida Bar’s Ethics School before returning to practice.
Response from Farah’s office
In an email to the press, Farah’s attorney Hank Coxe said Farah accepts the court’s decision. “Throughout the process, Chuck acted honestly and transparently,” the statement read. “These actions reflect the character and integrity that are the foundation of his legal career. Chuck remains committed to his profession and community, a commitment he’s built over nearly 40 years.”
Community impact
The ruling underscores the importance of ethical legal practice for Jacksonville residents. By holding attorneys accountable, the Florida Supreme Court protects clients—especially those seeking redress for serious health harms—from negligent or unauthorized representation. Local citizens can take confidence that the legal system remains vigilant in safeguarding their rights.
Disclosure: The Farah & Farah law firm has been a financial sponsor of WJCT Public Media.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
