The Florida Bar

March 2024 Board Summary

The Florida Bar Board of Governors met March 15, 2024, in Miami. :

The board approved the initial proposed budget for FY 2024-25 that would continue a 23-year streak of no fee increases for bar members. The budget, a 1.5% increase over current spending, projects $43.1 million in revenues and $48.4 million in expenses, for an operating loss of $5.3 million. Fees will remain at $265 for active members and $175 for inactive members. (). The board is required to forward the budget to the Supreme Court no later than June 1 after all members’ objections have been resolved.

The board  (Minimum Continuing Legal Education) that would permit Florida lawyers for the first time to earn CLE credit for pro bono service. The revisions would permit a Florida lawyer to receive one hour of general CLE for every four hours of pro bono service, not to exceed five hours of CLE in a three-year reporting cycle. The Florida Supreme Court, in an August 2023 letter requested that the Bar consider “Authorizing continuing legal education credit or professionalism credit for pro bono participation.” The justices issued the letter after reviewing recommendations by the Bar’s Special Committee on Greater Public Access to Legal Services.

In other business, the board voted that depicts an actor pressing a “magic button” that prominently features the law firm’s name. Bar staff originally determined that the statement would violate Rule 4-7.13(b)(1), which prohibits “a prediction or guarantee of success or specific results” based on previous board decisions. After a discussion, and after viewing the video, the board voted to reverse the staff opinion and approve the ad — but only if the advertising firm agrees to include a disclaimer that they can only cover bills related to the underlying accident.

 that the $117.5 billion budget the Florida Legislature approved March 8, the final day of the session, included a 3% pay increase for judges along with most state employees. The legislative budget also included funding increases for court reporting resources, due process (including court interpreters and expert witness fees), and case management.

In addition, the board voted to nominate Miami attorney Miriam S. Ramos to the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee to serve a four-year term that commences July 1.