Attempts from embattled Coral Gables attorney Scot Strems to dissolve his emergency suspension fell flat before a court-appointed referee Wednesday, who found two judges that testified against him at an evidentiary hearing were credible witnesses, and recommended that Strems should not have his law license reinstated while his discipline case plays out.

The Florida Bar has accused Strems, who owns Strems Law Firm, of violating 17 ethics rules with a "campaign of unprofessional, unethical and fraudulent conduct." Another attorney from the firm, Gregory Saldamando, also faces similar charges.

Strems had asked the Florida Supreme Court to drop his emergency suspension, arguing the extreme measure wasn't warranted because the bar only presented two affidavits and hadn't proved his alleged misconduct was ongoing. Strems also argued he wasn't personally involved in the cases under scrutiny, and said his suspension was harmful to the firm's 9,000 clients and 150 staff members.