Embattled former Jacksonville public defender Matt Shirk disbarred
Matt Shirk
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former Jacksonville public defender Matt Shirk has been disbarred.
Shirk was a public defender for the 4th Judicial Circuit from 2009 to 2017. The circuit is made up of Duval, Nassau and Clay counties.
A grand jury looked into allegations that he circumvented normal practices to hire three young women, that he consumed or served alcohol in a city building and that he revealed privileged client information to a documentary crew.
MORE: Wasteful spending & freebies: How Matt Shirk left office | READ IT: Florida Auditor General’s report | Fired employee sues Public Defender Matt Shirk, claims sexual harassment
He did not face criminal charges but the grand jury called for his resignation.
Shirk didn’t resign but was later suspended from practicing law for one year .
Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.
About the Author Travis Gibson headshot
Executive Reporter who has lived in Jacksonville for over 30 years and helps reporters develop meaningful and impactful community stories.
Man charged after 1 killed, 2 wounded by gunfire at construction site in St. Johns County ▶ 1:12
Man charged after 1 killed, 2 wounded by gunfire at construction site in St. Johns County
One person dead, 2 more sent to hospital after argument turns into fight in St. Johns County ▶ 1:03
One person dead, 2 more sent to hospital after argument turns into fight in St. Johns County
Bus company confirms driver removed from service after unauthorized person boards school bus ▶ 1:35
Bus company confirms driver removed from service after unauthorized person boards school bus
Oceanway residents disappointed in committee’s decision to approve storage unit development ▶ 0:22
Oceanway residents disappointed in committee’s decision to approve storage unit development
UNF poll finds that Florida voters are split on Trump's immigration policy ▶ 0:52
UNF poll finds that Florida voters are split on Trump's immigration policy
Happy clouds on a Happy Humpday. When will we get some rain? ▶ 0:51
Happy clouds on a Happy Humpday. When will we get some rain?
Photos show Jacksonville-based Navy ships, helicopters playing key roles in ‘Operation Epic Fury ▶ 1:08
Photos show Jacksonville-based Navy ships, helicopters playing key roles in ‘Operation Epic Fury
How the Middle East conflict will affect travel ▶ 1:12
How the Middle East conflict will affect travel
St. Johns County deputies pull man away from fiery crash on I-95 ▶ 0:32
St. Johns County deputies pull man away from fiery crash on I-95
Jacksonville HIV advocate warns of crisis as thousands lose medication access ▶ 1:21
Jacksonville HIV advocate warns of crisis as thousands lose medication access
Passion 4 Pets: Taco is looking for his furever home 🌮 ▶ 0:51
Passion 4 Pets: Taco is looking for his furever home 🌮
Race director's Top 5 things to know for a successful Gate River Run -- with a bonus from Melanie ▶ 1:19
Race director's Top 5 things to know for a successful Gate River Run -- with a bonus from Melanie
LIFT JAX, Swisher announce $135M expansion to create jobs for Eastside residents ▶ 0:36
LIFT JAX, Swisher announce $135M expansion to create jobs for Eastside residents
Gas prices spike overnight. Will they continue to rise? ▶ 1:02
Gas prices spike overnight. Will they continue to rise?
Manatees at Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens enjoy new river habitat ▶ 1:10
Manatees at Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens enjoy new river habitat
4 cars set on fire at Mandarin apartment complex ▶ 0:22
4 cars set on fire at Mandarin apartment complex
Here Tomorrow is redefining suicide prevention — offering immediate, no-cost support with no wait. ▶ 0:41
Here Tomorrow is redefining suicide prevention — offering immediate, no-cost support with no wait.
Student describes scary moments when unauthorized person boarded school bus & touched her ▶ 1:23
Student describes scary moments when unauthorized person boarded school bus & touched her
Carrico nominates firefighter union leader Randy Wyse for JEA board amid ongoing controversy ▶ 1:10
Carrico nominates firefighter union leader Randy Wyse for JEA board amid ongoing controversy
Impact Christian Back in State Semifinals ▶ 0:38
Impact Christian Back in State Semifinals
Sporting JAX announces St. Johns Town location for stadium, new sports, entertainment district ▶ 1:07
Sporting JAX announces St. Johns Town location for stadium, new sports, entertainment district
JEA leadership saga update ▶ 0:42
JEA leadership saga update
Chain reaction crash on Atlantic Blvd claims the lives of 3 people, injures others ▶ 0:49
Chain reaction crash on Atlantic Blvd claims the lives of 3 people, injures others
News4JAX walks through Jeffrery Epstein's old plane now sitting at a SE GA scrapyard ▶ 1:26
News4JAX walks through Jeffrery Epstein's old plane now sitting at a SE GA scrapyard
Let's get this vertical garden growing! ▶ 4:18
Let's get this vertical garden growing!
Previous photo Next photo 