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Professionalism Resources

Center for Professionalism logoWhether it’s the Professionalism Handbook, best practices guides (and there are many, from electronic communication to professional conduct), quick tips or codes of trial conduct, you’ll find it here.

2023 Professionalism Case Law Summary (shared with permission of Tim Chinaris)

So, You Want to Become a Lawyer?

This Law School Handbook is intended to help high school and undergraduate students who are interested in going to law school or are considering law as a career. It covers what to expect on your educational path in pursuit of a law degree, as well as the career opportunities that may be open to you once you obtain your law degree.

So You Want to Become a Lawyer? Law School Handbook
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Professionalism Handbook

This handbook includes a collection of professionalism resources designed to help attorneys and students at Florida law schools learn the importance of civility and professionalism in the legal profession. This guide embodies and reflects the substance of the professional identity, personality, character, and fitness to practice law that each member of the Bar should exemplify.

Also see, Resources For Young Lawyers

Best Practices for Remote Proceedings

This guide was produced by the Florida Bar Board Technology Committee.

Other Remote Proceedings Best Practices

The Supreme Court Workgroup on Continuity of Court Operations and Proceedings During and After COVID-19 Best Practices developed best practices on the following topics:

  • Facilitating Pro Se Litigants with Remote Appearance Technology
  • Representing Yourself and Using Remote Appearance Technology with the Courts
  • Management of Evidence in Remote Hearings in Civil and Family Cases
  • Out-of-County Inmates
Best Practices for Remote Court Proceedings

Best Practices for Professional Electronic Communication

Lawyers use multiple forms of communication on a daily basis to diligently advocate and are in a constant state of communication with clients, opposing counsel, the court and colleagues. This guide provides best practices for the most popularly used forms of electronic communication.

Best Practices for Professional Electronic Communication PDF cover
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Legal Professionalism in the Electronic Age

With the shift to video conferencing, it is crucial to uphold the expectation of professionalism and civility within the legal profession. This guide provides some best practices and recommendations for practicing with professionalism virtually.

Legal Professionalism in the Electronic Age guide
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Bounds of Advocacy: Goals for Family Lawyers in Florida

Developed by The Family Law SectionBounds of Advocacy is a tool to guide Florida family lawyers through the quagmire of professional and ethical dilemmas that are unique to the practice of family law. The intent is to suggest a higher level of practice than the minimum baseline of conduct required by the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, and the goal is to elevate professionalism in the practice of family law.

Bounds of Advocacy Goals for Family Lawyers guide
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TRIAL LAWYERS SECTION GUIDELINES FOR PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Guidelines for Professional Conduct by the Trial Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar were developed as part of a continuous effort increase the level of professionalism in trial practice in Florida.

WELL-BEING TOOLKIT FOR LAWYERS AND LEGAL EMPLOYERS

This Well-Being Toolkit, created by Anne M. Brafford for use by the American Bar Association, offers reasons for prioritizing lawyer well-being as well as information, strategies, and resources for implementing a plan for positive change.

#ProTips

Quick snippets of professionalism advice.


John Calhoun Bales: What mentorship means


Sarah Morris: When do you have a duty to correct?


Joseph Bovino: Practice cultural competence


Steve Lesser: Maintain confidential communication with your client


Ita Neymotin on the importance of mentoring


Kalinthia Dillard on managing client expectations

Watch previous Pro Tips

See Resources for Students for more videos.

CIVILITY INITIATIVE

The American College of Trial Lawyers Civility Initiative Project (February 2020) featuring Eugene K. Pettis, past president of The Florida Bar.

American College of Trial Lawyers Videos

Code of Trial Conduct

Annotated Code of Trial Conduct: A Manual for Trial Practitioners and for Use as a Teaching Aid, published by the American College of Trial Lawyers, 2005.

Code of Pretrial and Trial Conduct, published by the American College of Trial Lawyers, June 2009.

“Perspectives on Professionalism — From Your Office to Tallahassee”

Florida Bar panel discusses evolving standards of professionalism and discipline

How do we maintain and amplify civility so that the respect and integrity of the justice system is preserved? Such is the question explored in the Bar’s webinar, “Perspectives on Professionalism from Your Office to Tallahassee.” Florida Supreme Court Justice Meredith Sasso opens the panel discussion by commenting on recent, unsuccessful efforts to remove two words…

On Civility podcast

First DCA Judge Ross Bilbrey offers advice on civility, professionalism, and zealous advocacy

First District Court of Appeal Judge Ross Bilbrey has some advice for lawyers who test the limits of zealous advocacy — “Don’t fight the extraneous stuff,” and remember the “Cowboy Code.” In the latest edition of the Center for Professionalism’s “On Civility” podcast, Bilbrey advises that zealous advocacy on behalf of a client is fine…

“Perspectives on Professionalism — From Your Office to Tallahassee”

Justice Meredith Sasso and former Justice Kenneth Bell to lead free professionalism CLE

Florida Supreme Court Justice Meredith Sasso and former Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Bell will headline a free CLE later this week, “Perspectives on Professionalism — From Your Office to Tallahassee.” Streaming live via Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. on December 5, the seminar is sponsored by the Standing Committee on Professionalism and the Henry…

The Professional, once a triannual publication, is now a blog!

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