sunEthics
Covering legal ethics, judicial ethics, bar admissions in Florida, Tennessee, and nationally. See our Subject Index to past postings.
The Sixth DCA reverses a trial court order finding a joint proposal for settlement was valid when the recipients had a close personal or financial relationship, as an exception to Gorka . . . (see more) [Added 4/21/25]
A trial court did not err by failing to inquire whether a defendant wanted to make a statement before sentencing on a violation of probation . . . (see more) [Added 4/18/25]
Ava Maria School of Law has the state's top first-time-taker pass rate for the February 2025 general bar examination . . . (see more) [Added 4/14/25]
A trial court’s order authorizing a party to depose opposing counsel is quashed by the Third DCA . . . (see more) [Added 4/10/25]
In affirming a criminal conviction, the Fourth DCA rules that a prosecutor’s closing argument was not improper because it was invited by the defense . . . (see more) [Added 4/7/25]
The Sixth DCA issues a writ of prohibition to disqualify a trial judge from further proceedings in a termination of parental rights case . . . (see more) [Added 4/3/25]
The Second DCA quashes trial court orders compelling production of documents, where the trial court did not hold a hearing or rule on attorney-client privilege objections . . . (see more) [Added 3/31/25]
Rejecting a referee recommendation of a 91-day suspension, the Supreme Court disbars a lawyer for multiple rule violations raised by judicial referrals . . . (see more) [Added 3/25/25]
A trial court erred by granting prevailing party fees beyond the scope of the parties’ joint stipulation . . . (see more) [Added 3/21/25]
A conviction is reversed because the trial court committed fundamental error by failing to independently determine the defendant’s competence to proceed . . . (see more) [Added 3/18/25]
The Second DCA reverses a final judgment in a dissolution of marriage case that failed to reserve jurisdiction over a charging lien filed by the former wife’s counsel . . . (see more) [Added 3/14/25]
A trial court erred in denying fees where the parties’ contract made recovery of fees by the prevailing party mandatory rather than discretionary . . . (see more) [Added 3/10/25]
The Third DCA grants a writ of prohibition disqualifying a trial judge . . . (see more) [Added 3/5/25]
The First DCA reverses a judgment holding the Governor’s Office in violation of public records law . . . (see more) [Added 2/28/25]
A trial court erred in denying prevailing party fees based on a jury’s apportionment of fault in the main action, which had no bearing on liability in a third-party claim . . . (see more) [Added 2/25/25]
An order disqualifying counsel is reversed because it extended beyond what was required by the text of Rule 4-3.7 . . . (see more) [Added 1/31/25]
The 2024 Florida Legal Ethics Review by Tim Chinaris is now available upon request . . . (see more) [Added 1/3/2025]
The Supreme Court revises the court rules amendment process spelled out in Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.140 . . . (see more) [Added 1/10/25]
The Supreme Court suspends a judge for “engaging in abusive and intemperate conduct during two separate court proceedings" . . . (see more) [Added 12/17/24]
The Supreme Court amends Rule 6-10.3 to allow lawyers to obtain CLE credit for performing pro bono service . . . (see more) [Added 11/1/24]
The Supreme Court affirms denial of a convicted defendant’s motion to interview a juror 40 years after the trial . . . (see more) [Added 10/24/24]
The 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]
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]
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 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]
NEW in Florida Legal Ethics . . .