New and seasoned lawyers alike are subject to the same disciplinary actions for Bar Association violations. Can an attorney’s age affect his or her likelihood to comply with certain rules of the bar?
Attorney John Leighton, founding partner of Leighton Panoff Law, was among several attorneys interviewed by Daily Business Review on the topic. They explained that age plays a significant role, particularly when it comes to staying up-to-date on technology and proper mentoring. While technology-related violations are more likely to affect older lawyers, they agreed that a lack of proper mentoring among younger lawyers potentially leads to mistakes.
Technology
Lawyers who do not stay on top of technology possibly find themselves facing disciplinary action. One example is a Florida law firm that missed a deadline to contest an award of attorney fees in 2017 because the email allegedly was caught in a spam filter.
Another example occurred in 2015 when a well-respected, veteran lawyer with several decades of practice experience received nine homework assignments from a federal judge who demanded that the attorney submit the homework assignments “error-free.” The bankruptcy attorney either could not or would not correct his e-filings on a case. He later received a suspension for reportedly paying another attorney $1,000 to complete the homework assignments for him.
Mentoring
A Washington Post article provides examples of attorneys who are “inexperienced or overmatched.” One Florida attorney took on a case where a former lawyer missed several filing deadlines, and she herself missed deadlines.
Another lawyer was 208 days late filing his habeas petition in a case involving a death row inmate. The lawyer admitted to the judge that he was “inexperienced in habeas law,” never knew how to determine the deadline and sent the petition to the wrong court.
John Leighton says, “Without mentoring, without good examples, it’s a bit like ‘Lord of the Flies.’ You end up with lesser-skilled lawyers that don’t know when the line is crossed.” He said that while law schools prepare lawyers in ways they didn’t before, it does not necessarily mean that graduates actually know how to practice law.
Mr. Leighton would like to see one extra year of “residency,” where students engage in internships to specialize and develop greater networks for a firmer grasp of the law. He believes everyone needs some mentoring. “The interaction of lawyers is one of the most important aspects of law.”
Yes, a lawyer’s age can indirectly influence the type of disciplinary issues they may encounter, though all attorneys—regardless of age—are subject to the same professional standards. Older lawyers may struggle with adapting to rapidly evolving legal technologies, leading to compliance failures. Meanwhile, younger lawyers often face discipline due to a lack of proper mentoring or real-world experience, which can result in missed deadlines or procedural errors that violate Bar rules.
Older attorneys may face discipline for failing to properly use legal technologies. For instance, a law firm missed a crucial deadline in 2017 because an important email was allegedly diverted to a spam folder. In another case, a seasoned bankruptcy lawyer was suspended after failing to submit error-free court filings and later paid another attorney to complete his assignments. These examples show how technology mishandling or resistance to new digital protocols can trigger serious consequences.
Mentoring is critical for younger attorneys because it provides the practical guidance that law school often doesn’t offer. Without experienced mentors, young lawyers may not fully understand court procedures, deadlines, or the consequences of non-compliance. As attorney John Leighton explains, lacking proper mentorship can leave new lawyers “like ‘Lord of the Flies,’” unprepared and prone to mistakes that could lead to disciplinary action from the Bar.
New lawyers, particularly those without strong mentoring or specialized training, may struggle with understanding complex legal timelines or filing protocols. One example involves a lawyer who filed a habeas petition 208 days late and sent it to the wrong court because he was unfamiliar with habeas law. This lack of procedural knowledge and experience is a frequent cause of errors that trigger Bar complaints and disciplinary actions.
John Leighton advocates for a “residency” model in legal education, where law graduates would complete a year of internships or specialized training before full entry into practice. This would allow them to build real-world experience and professional networks. He believes such an approach would produce more competent attorneys and reduce disciplinary issues by reinforcing practical legal skills and encouraging mentorship within the legal community.
Yes, technology competence is now essential for lawyers across all age groups. Courts increasingly require electronic filings, digital communication, and use of case management software. Lawyers who fail to adapt risk missing critical deadlines or mishandling client information—actions that can result in Bar discipline. Staying up-to-date with technology is now seen as a basic professional duty under modern legal ethics standards.
Leighton Panoff Law, led by attorney John Leighton, brings a deep understanding of legal ethics and the real-world challenges lawyers face. With his experience and commitment to professional responsibility, Mr. Leighton is a strong advocate for improving the legal system through mentorship and education. If you’re navigating a complex legal or disciplinary issue, his firm provides thoughtful, experienced representation rooted in a clear vision for the future of the profession.
A nationally-recognized trial lawyer who handles catastrophic injury and death cases. He manages Leighton Law, P.A. trial lawyers, with offices in Miami and Orlando, Florida. He is President of The National Crime Victim Bar Association, author of the 2-volume textbook,Litigating Premises Security Cases, and past Chairman of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America’s Motor Vehicle, Highway & Premises Liability Section. Having won some of the largest verdicts in Florida history, Mr. Leighton is listed inThe Best Lawyers in America (14 years), “Top Lawyers” in the South Florida Legal Guide (15 years), Top 100 Florida SuperLawyer™ and Florida SuperLawyers (14 years), “Orlando Legal Elite” by Orlando Style magazine, and FloridaTrend magazine “Florida Legal Elite