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Article Courtesy of Channel
6 WKMG
By Mike DeForest
Published May 5, 2026
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WATCH VIDEO |
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ORANGE COUNTY – Nearly two months after a lawyer was jailed for contempt of
court while battling his homeowner’s association, an appeals court has denied
the attorney’s petition to be set free.
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Bruce Burtoff, 77, represented three of
his neighbors in an unsuccessful 2020 lawsuit against their
homeowner’s association that alleged mismanagement.
A judge incarcerated Burtoff for civil contempt on March 4
after the attorney repeatedly refused to identify two of his
clients who sued the HOA anonymously using the pseudonyms
Jane Doe and Joe Doe, court records show.
A different judge dismissed the plaintiffs’ lawsuit against
the North Shore at Lake Hart HOA in 2023, calling it
“incoherent”.
The HOA, which claims it has spent well over $100,000
defending what it calls a “frivolous” lawsuit, said it needs
the real names of Jane Doe and Joe Doe to collect attorney’s
fees from them.
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The HOA is also seeking attorney’s fees from Lynn Sandford, the only plaintiff
who identified herself by name on the lawsuit.
“I’m just very disappointed and frustrated,” Sandford said about the appeals
court denying Burtoff’s petition to get out jail. “I’m waiting to see what
happens next.”
In an emergency petition filed with the 6th District Court of Appeal earlier
this month, Burtoff claimed Circuit Court Judge John Jordan inappropriately
found him in contempt during a February court hearing that was scheduled while
the attorney was on a Caribbean cruise and unavailable to attend.
Burtoff has previously argued that disclosing the plaintiffs’ identities would
violate a Florida Bar rule related to the protection of confidential
attorney-client information
The HOA, which accused Burtoff of “abusing” his court availability schedule,
disputes that the attorney-client privilege bars Burtoff from revealing his
clients’ names.
Burtoff asked the appeals court to vacate the lower court’s contempt order and
release him from the Orange County jail.
A three-judge panel of the 6th District Court of Appeal denied Burtoff’s
petition Wednesday without explanation.
“The amended emergency petition for a writ of habeas corpus is denied,” the
single-page order reads.
Burtoff remained incarcerated at the Orange County jail on Thursday.
The contempt order states Burtoff can be released at any time if he discloses
the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the anonymous plaintiffs.
Burtoff’s attorney, Richard Parker, did not immediately comment on the appeals
court ruling or what Burtoff may do next.
The HOA’s attorney, Todd Hoepker, did not respond to multiple emails from News 6
offering the opportunity to comment.
HOA President David Gordon did not immediately respond to phone calls from News
6.
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