sunEthics
Covering legal ethics, judicial ethics, bar admissions in Florida, Tennessee, and nationally. See our Subject Index to past postings.
The Florida Supreme Court suspends a lawyer for charging a “clearly excessive and unconscionable fee” and conduct contrary to honesty and justice . . . (see more) [Added 10/22/24]
A defendant’s conviction is reversed due to an inadequate Faretta inquiry prior to a Stand Your Ground hearing . . . (see more) [Added 10/18/24]
In a public records case, a trial court erred in awarding costs (which included fees) under F.S. 57.041 after denying costs under F.S. 119.12 . . . (see more) [Added 10/14/24]
A trial court departed from the essential requirements of law in granting a protective order to keep a party from deposing opposing counsel . . . (see more) [Added 10/9/24]
A court erred in not appointing conflict-free counsel when a represented defendant filed a pro se motion to withdraw plea . . . (see more) [Added 10/4/24]
The Sixth DCA affirms a judgment that awarded fees in a dissolution case under F.S. 61.16 even though appellant did not provide a transcript of the hearing showing the required Rowe findings were made, certifying conflict with 4 sister DCAs . . . (see more) [Added 9/29/24]
The University of Florida leads the state's law schools in first-time taker pass rate for the July 2024 general bar examination . . . (see more) [Added 9/23/24]
The Supreme Court orders a lawyer who was permanently disbarred after unprofessional conduct to serve jail time for indirect criminal contempt of court . . . (see more) [Added 9/20/24]
A trial court did not depart from the essential requirements of law in ordering a post-trial juror interview in order to rule on a motion for new trial . . . (see more) [Added 9/18/24]
The Supreme Court rules that a trial court did not err in denying a motion to disqualify filed by defense counsel after the court raised the possibility of holding counsel in contempt . . . (see more) [Added 9/17/24]
The Supreme Court approves changes to the rules governing the Law School Practice Program . . . (see more) [Added 9/13/24]
Responding to a petition from the Bar, the Supreme Court amends several Rules of Discipline in Chapter 3, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar . . . (see more) [Added 9/9/2024]
The Supreme Court approves changes to rules regarding lawyers’ use of generative artificial intelligence, advertisements with celebrity clients or former clients, “zealous” representation, and lawyers indefinitely suspended for more than 91 days . . . (see more) [Added 9/2/24]
The Supreme Court disbars a former judge for misrepresentations in campaign filings and an application to fill a judicial vacancy, as well as misconduct during the disciplinary proceedings . . . (see more) [Added 7/22/24]
The Supreme Court approves a Bar petition for changes to rules governing practice pending admission, Bar membership information, Bar-approved referral services, and others . . . (see more) [Added 5/13/24]
The Supreme Court acts on Bar recommendations designed to improve professionalism in the legal profession, including amending CLE requirements . . . (see more) [Added 7/10/23]
The Supreme Court grants the Florida Bar’s petition to amend the confidentiality rule in two respects, including adding a provision addressing responses to negative online reviews . . . (see more) [Added 3/16/23]
Responding to a petition from the Bar, the Supreme Court amends bar rules various subjects including lawyer advertising, dealing with clients with diminished capacity, inventory attorneys, and confidentiality in the disciplinary system . . . (see more) [Added 3/4/22]
The Supreme Court amends Rule 4-5.5 to conform to the UPL advisory opinion permitting lawyers licensed in other states to work remotely from Florida for extended time periods on matters not involving Florida . . . (see more) [Added 2/18/22]
The Board of Governors votes to reject recommendations made by the Special Committee to Improve Delivery of Legal Services concerning non-lawyer ownership of law firms, fee sharing, and changes to advertising rules . . . (see more) [Added 11/8/21]
A narrow Supreme Court majority rules that a company connecting drivers who get traffic tickets with lawyers who will defend the tickets engaged in the unauthorized practice of law . . . (see more) [Added 10/15/21]
A unanimous Florida Supreme Court rules that an insurer has standing to bring a legal malpractice action against counsel it hired to represent its insured, based on the policy’s subrogation provision . . . (see more) [Added 6/4/21]
The Supreme Court approves an advisory opinion concluding that it is not the unlicensed practice of law for a lawyer licensed in other states but not in Florida to work remotely from his home in Florida on federal intellectual property matters . . . (see more) [Added 5/21/21]
The Supreme Court amends and renames the Rules of Judicial Administration, addressing judicial disqualification, creating disqualification through adding counsel, and appearance of “stand-in counsel” . . . (see more) [Added 1/27/21]
NEW in Florida Legal Ethics . . .