December 2024 Board Summary
The Florida Bar Board of Governors met on December 13, 2024, in St. Augustine. Major actions and reports received included:
The Board approved the creation of the Florida Bar Standing Committee for Corporate Counsel to promote professionalism among corporate counsel lawyers, provide tailored and practical legal education, serve as a platform for networking and sharing best practices, and address “the unique challenges and opportunities” faced by in-house legal counsel. Additionally, the Committee is charged with enhancing the participation, representation, and involvement of corporate counsel attorneys within The Florida Bar, ensuring their interests are well-represented in the Bar’s initiatives and activities. Read more in the Bar News.
The Board voted to approve proposed changes to the Internal Operation Procedures, or “IOPs,” of the Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration Committee, the Appellate Court Rules Committee, the Criminal Procedure Rules Committee, and the Code and Rules of Evidence Committee. The revisions are designed to make the rule development process more uniform and efficient and grew out of the recommendations from a Bar-commissioned study in August 2022, “Evaluation of Development and Review of Court Rules Proposals by The Florida Bar Rules Committees” by outside consultant Lisa Kiel, a former Florida State Courts Administrator.
In other action, the Board voted to approve a proposed revision to Rule 1-12.1 (Amendments to Rules; Authority; Notice; Procedures; Comments), to authorize the Bar to file a response to comments filed in rules petition cases within 30 days of the comment deadline. Another proposal to enhance efficiency, proponents state that the revision would eliminate a procedure that currently requires the Bar to file a “motion for leave to respond to comments.”
The Board also voted to approve a proposed revision to Standing Board Policy 15.91. Within subdivision (b), the revisions would delete subdivisions (1) and (2) that require the Bar to provide copies of a respondent’s replies to Bar counsel and grievance committee inquiries. Many times, a complainant will respond and dispute the answer or reiterate information Bar investigators already have, causing confusion, according to Bar staff. Complainants will still receive regular updates.
In addition, the Board voted to approve proposed amendments to Rule 20-5.2 (Duty to Update). The proposed amendments would require Florida Registered Paralegals, instead of The Florida Bar, to report any changes in their registration status to their supervising attorneys or employers.
In other action, the Board voted to approve two new member benefits:
- “ADR Support”: a practice management service designed for full-time mediators and arbitrators. The company provides administrative support, including client communication, scheduling, invoicing, bookkeeping, case management, marketing, and IT support,” according to ADR promotional material. The company is offering to waive a $7,500 standard set-up fee for qualifying Florida Bar members.
- “PATLive”: The Tallahassee-based company offers a virtual receptionist and communications support. Florida Bar members would receive a 10% discount, and the company would pay the Bar $150 for every member who signs up, and $5,000 toward Bar initiatives and participate in the Annual Florida Bar Convention.