2023
Special Committee on Mentoring New Lawyers
This committee was established to create a mentoring program for Florida lawyers that most need guidance from more experienced lawyers to enhance their professional wellbeing, improve their career trajectory and provide a personal practice resource. The committee’s work resulted in the establishment of the Counsel to Counsel mentoring program.
2022
Special Committee on Greater Public Access to Legal Services
In a March 2022 letter, the Supreme Court of Florida requested that The Florida Bar provide alternative proposals for “how the rules governing the practice of law in Florida may be revised to improve the delivery of legal services to Florida’s consumers and to assure Florida lawyers play a proper and prominent role in the provision of these services.” In response, The Florida Bar created the Special Committee on Greater Public Access to Legal Services and charged it with making recommendations to improve the delivery of legal services to Florida’s consumers and to assure that Florida lawyers play a proper and prominent role in the provision of these services. Read the full report from Special Committee.
2020
Special Committee to Improve the Delivery of Legal Services
The Florida Supreme Court created the Special Committee to Improve the Delivery of Legal Services effective January 1, 2020 to study to find innovative ways and regulations that provide more and affordable legal services for Floridians and more work for Florida lawyers while protecting the core values of the profession. The final report was delivered to the Florida Supreme Court on July 28, 2021.
Task Force on the Distribution of IOTA Funds
The Task Force on the Distribution of IOTA Funds was created October 24, 2019 to examine whether rule 5-1.1(g) should be amended to better ensure the most effective use of interest on Trust Accounts funds. The task force submitted its recommendations to the Supreme Court of Florida by final report (14MB) dated September 15, 2020.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NON-VOTING BOARD APPOINTMENTS
This special committee reviewed Florida Bar Standing Board Policy 1.20-Board Meetings (d) State, Voluntary or Local Bar Associations or Groups to ensure diverse representation and inclusion in the Board’s deliberations from all groups of which the Florida Bar could benefit. The special committee issued a final report.
2019
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGIES AFFECTING THE PRACTICE OF LAW
Mission & Purpose: The special committee will review and analyze current and evolving technologies offered (or likely to be offered) in the marketplace that are impacting or may impact the practice of law. These technologies may provide a means to address gaps in access to civil justice and may provide new opportunities for attorneys to provide representation to clients. These technologies are generally unregulated (or under regulated) presenting a variety of unique challenges and raising concerns regarding the protection of the public. The special committee will analyze these and other considerations and may make recommendations, including any rule amendments, to The Florida Bar Board of Governors. As part of its consideration, the committee will inform and seek input from Florida Bar members and may engage and confer with experts.
The special committee recommended adoption of Chapter 23 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar.
2018
Final Report of Special Committee on Child and Parent Representation
The Florida Bar Criminal Justice Summit: A First Step in Improving Florida’s Criminal Justice System, Final Report. (See also videos from the 2018 Florida Bar Criminal Justice Summit)
2017
Special Committee on the 2017 Constitution Revision Final Report
Special Committee on Gender Bias Report
2016
Vision 2016 Commission Comprehensive Study of the Future Practice of Law Final Report
Special Committee on Legal Education and Vision 2016 Legal Education Group Final Report
2013
Task Force to Study Enhancement of Diversity in the Judiciary and on the JNCs
2012
Hawkins Commission on Review of the Discipline System (Completed May 2012)
Special Committee on Lawyer Referral Services (July 2012)
2011
Committee to Study the Decline in Jury Trials Final Report (Dec. 2011)
2010
Special Committee on Medical Lien Resolution (Completed May 2010)
2007
Special Committee on Website Advertising (Completed June 2007)
2006
Special Commission on Lawyer Regulation
The Special Commission on Lawyer Regulation was charged with studying the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar to evaluate the efficacy of the system of lawyer regulation. The goals of the commission were to increase the speed with which matters are evaluated and conclusions reached; preserve the fairness of the system of lawyer regulation where existing levels are appropriate and enhance the level of fairness where possible; and reduce the expense associated with lawyer regulation. The commission began its work September 5, 2003 and concluded its deliberations September 8, 2005. The Commission submitted its final report in June of 2026.
Special Committee on Amendment 3
This committee was created in 2006 and charged with drafting an amendment to rule 4-1.5 in compliance with an order of the Supreme Court of Florida that imposed the duty of amending contingency fee regulations so that recent constitutional amendments limiting contingency fees in medical liability claims were accommodated. See In Re: Amendment to the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar – Rule 4-1.5(F)(4)(b) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Special Committee on Amendment 3
This committee was created in 2006 and charged with drafting an amendment to rule 4-1.5 in compliance with an order of the Supreme Court of Florida that imposed the duty of amending contingency fee regulations so that recent constitutional amendments limiting contingency fees in medical liability claims were accommodated. See In Re: Amendment to the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar – Rule 4-1.5(F)(4)(b) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Special Committee to Study Paralegal Regulation (Completed June 2006)
Special Committee to Review the ABA Model Rules (Completed June 2006)
2005
Special Committee: Unbundled Legal Services Monitoring Committee
On November 13, 2003, the Supreme Court of Florida adopted new rules which allow lawyers to provide limited legal services to their clients in family law cases. Amendments to the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar and the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure (Unbundled Legal Services), 860 So. 2d 394 (Fla. 2003). In adopting the rules, the Court ordered The Florida Bar ‘to monitor the implementation of the rule and any difficulties that arise, and report back to [the] Court within two years from the effective date of [the] amendments with recommendations for improvements or changes, if any.’ Id. at 402. As a result, President Johnson appointed the Unbundled Legal Services Monitoring Committee. The Committee’s report was accepted by the Board of Governors on April 8, 2005, and filed with the Supreme Court of Florida on April 11, 2005.
Report of the Unbundled Legal Services Monitoring Committee
2003
Multijurisdictional Practice of Law (Completed October 2003)
2002
Special Commission on MDP / Ancillary Business (Completed June 2002)
Special Commission on Insurance Practices II (Completed June 2002)
Unbundled Legal Services Special Committee II (Completed June 2002): On August 16, 2002 the Board of Governors adopted the report and recommendations of the Unbundled Legal Services Special Committee II. The report was filed with the Supreme Court of Florida on September 1, 2002.
Commission on the Legal Needs of Children (Completed June 2002)
2001
Unbundled Legal Services (Completed Oct. 2001)
2000
Special Committee on Multidisciplinary Practice (work completed June 2000)