Disabled Veteran Wants Day In Court...As A Lawyer

Decorated Army Vet Sues Florida Supreme Court and Florida Board of Examiners for Violating Americans with Disabilities Act

Daily Business Review

Monika Gonzalez Mesa

September 28, ,2017

His numerous medals and commendations include three bronze stars. After 10 years of service, Hobbs separated from the military while seeking custody of his son. 

As a result of three tours of duty, Hobbs lives with adjustment disorders with mixed anxiety, depressed mood and alcohol use disorder, according to the complaint.

Julius Hobbs.

Courtesy photo

A decorated U.S. Army veteran has sued the Florida Supreme Court and the Florida Board of Bar Examiners under the Americans with Disabilities Act, seeking an end to demands for detailed medical documentation of bar applicants' mental health history and additional psychiatric examinations based on a history of disability.

The attorney for former U.S. Army Company Commander Julius Hobbs argues that investigations based on psychiatric counseling history prevent people from seeking help, and instead says investigations should be prompted by negative behaviors that demonstrate unfitness to practice law.

"Our initial goal is to have them stop requesting documentation and information involving history of mental health or treatment of substance abuse," said Hobbs' attorney Matthew Dietz, director of the Disability Independence Group. "If a person has voluntarily sought help, that is something that should be encouraged—not create additional barriers to becoming a lawyer."

Hobbs, who according to the complaint maintains a 3.63 grade point average at Western Michigan University Cooley School of Law in Tampa, Florida, applied to the Florida Bar his first year of law school in 2016. read more here