Inside the Bar
Committees
Standing Committees
Unlicensed Practice Of Law
The Florida Supreme Court has delegated to The Florida Bar, as an official arm of the court, the duty to investigate and prosecute allegations of unauthorized practice of law. The Rules Regulating The Florida Bar establish one statewide Standing Committee on Unlicensed Practice of Law to supervise circuit unlicensed practice of law committees. There must be at least one unlicensed practice of law investigating committee in each circuit. The circuit committees investigate reports of unlicensed practice and report their findings to the statewide standing committee. The standing committee in turn operates under the authority of the Board of Governors. When the Board of Governors approves, based on a recommendation from the Standing committee, the Bar may initiate litigation seeking a civil injunction.
The committee also has the authority to issue proposed formal advisory opinions on whether specific conduct constitutes the unlicensed practice of law. The proposed opinions are filed with the Supreme Court of Florida.
Staff Contact
Lori Holcomb
[Revised:
07-01-2009
]