Changes would expand the role of retired lawyers in pro bono work
Changes would expand the role of retired lawyers in pro bono work
I n accordance with recommendations from the Supreme Court’s Florida Commission on Access to Civil Justice, the Bar Board of Governors has received a series of rule amendments expanding the role that retired — or emeritus — attorneys can take in pro bono cases. 
“We’re trying to increase the pool of lawyers who can serve as emeritus lawyers and who can provide legal services solely to pro bono clients and solely through legal aid organizations. We’ve added inactive lawyers, retired judges, and current or former full-time law professors to the pool of potential emeritus lawyers,” Bar Rules Committee Chair Margaret Mathews told the board recently.
She said emeritus attorneys cannot be engaged in the active practice of law unless they are authorized house counsel as set out in Chapter 17 of Bar rules.
“This comes out of the Florida Commission on Access to Civil Justice,” Mathews said, adding it was also endorsed by the Bar’s Standing Committee on the Unlicensed Practice of Law before the Rules Committee approved it. Access commission officials have estimated the changes will expand the number of emeritus attorneys available to provide civil pro bono services from 24 to around 3,500.
The rules will come back to the board for a final vote at its July 29 meeting.
