sunEthics
Covering legal ethics, judicial ethics, bar admissions in Florida, Tennessee, and nationally. See our Subject Index to past postings.
The Third DCA reverses an order denying in insurer’s motion for fees on a proposal settlement, ruling the proposal was made in good faith . . . (see more) [Added 9/25/26]
Addressing “an issue of first impression,” the Third DCA rules that a voluntary dismissal in response to a later-served successive F.S. 57.105 motion for sanctions precludes imposition of sanctions based on the earlier motion . . . (see more) [Added 9/22/26]
Florida State University tops the list in first-time taker pass rate for the July 2026 general bar examination . . . (see more) [Added 9/18/26]
Responding to the “growing problem in Florida’s appellate courts” of AI-generated filings with fabricated authorities, the Fourth DCA affirms imposition of appellate fees on a pro se litigant and orders her to show cause why she should not be barred from further pro se filings . . . (see more) [Added 9/17/26]
A trial court did not reversibly err by prohibiting a criminal defendant from consulting with counsel during a 5-minute recess taken during the defendant’s testimony . . . (see more) [Added 9/14/26]
A pro se litigant is directed to show cause why sanctions for AI misuse should not be imposed under amended Fla.R.Gen.Prac. & Jud.Admin. rule 2.515(d)(2) for AI-related misconduct occurring prior to the rule’s effective date . . . (see more) [Added 9/10/26]
A trial court properly denied a motion for post-trial juror interview because it failed to contain sworn allegations and properly denied an amended motion as untimely . . . (see more) [Added 9/8/26]
In a thorough opinion the Second DCA reviews problems with misuse of generative AI and imposes multiple sanctions on a lawyer “for his rampant use of hallucinated citations to legal authority,” including “numerous whoppers" . . . (see more) [Added 9/3/26]
The Fourth DCA reaffirms that a court-appointed counsel for the ward in an incapacity proceeding is to advocate for the ward’s expressed wishes rather than relying on counsel’s own assessment of what is in the ward's best interest . . . (see more) [Added 9/1/26]
A legal malpractice suit brought by plaintiffs who obtained the purported cause of action through an assignment approved by the bankruptcy court is dismissed due to lack of standing . . . (see more) [Added 8/28/26]
The Sixth DCA orders disqualification of a judge who was the second judge but not a “successor judge” under Fla.R.Gen.Prac. & Jud.Admin. 2.330(i) . . . (see more) [Added 8/25/26]
Another lawyer is referred to the Florida Bar by a court for AI-related false citations . . . (see more) [8/18/26]
Two DCAs warn pro se litigants about the dangers of using generative AI . . . (see more) [Added 8/12/26]
The Supreme Court holds Rule 4-8.2 unconstitutional as applied to comments about his election opponent made by a lawyer who was running for state attorney . . . (see more) [Added 8/3/26]
A prevailing party fee award that included a contingency fee multiplier is reversed where counsel disclaimed existence of a contingent fee agreement . . . (see more) [Added 7/30/26]
The Supreme Court sentences a nonlawyer to 5 months in jail, suspended pending completion of probation, for engaging in the unlicensed practice of law . . . (see more) [Added 7/10/26]
The Supreme Court amends the Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration to address AI-generated citations to “hallucinated” authorities . . . (see more) [Added 6/1/26]
The Second DCA writes to “sound the alarm” on the dangers of using AI in legal filings, but declines to sanction a pro se litigant whose briefs contained numerous hallucinations . . . (see more) [Added 5/18/26]
The Supreme Court amends various Bar rules, including changes to terminology relating to “substance use" . . . (see more) [Added 5/9/26]
The Supreme Court amends Rule 4-8.6 concerning entities authorized to engage in law practice in Florida and nonlawyers holding certain positions or titles in law firms . . . (see more) [Added 12/22/25]
The Florida Bar Professional Ethics Committee publishes an advisory opinion regarding lawyers’ use of listservs and online discussion groups . . . (see more) [Added 11/14/25]
NEW in Florida Legal Ethics . . .