Whether 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.
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 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.
Bounds of Advocacy: Goals for Family Lawyers in Florida
Developed by The Family Law Section, Bounds 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.
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.
March 21, 2025
After joining The Florida Bar’s Counsel to Counsel Mentoring Program last August, Vanessa Sloat-Rogers and Adena Hatcher were paired in October 2024. In just a few months, they’ve formed a genuine, supportive friendship. “It was like, ‘where have you been all my life?’” said mentee Hatcher. “I have been waiting for you!” responded mentor Sloat-Rogers,…
March 10, 2025
I drive a Lincoln and have a Bar card, so naturally, I enjoyed watching Matthew McConaughey in the movie The Lincoln Lawyer, based on Michael Connelly’s book. It goes without saying that a Bar card in your Lincoln’s glove box does not make you a Lincoln lawyer. The real Lincoln lawyer, Abraham Lincoln, was built…
February 10, 2025
Florida Association for Women Lawyers President Jessica Thomas stresses authenticity in the latest Standing Committee on Professionalism podcast “On Civility.” Available for free, the podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 1.0 hour of Professionalism CLE credit. Course # 8962. In the…
The Professional, once a triannual publication, is now a blog!
Related Florida Bar Webpages
Other Professionalism Centers
- American Bar Association Center for Professional Responsibility Consortium on Professionalism Initiatives
- American Bar Association Center for Professional Responsibility Professionalism Codes
- Mercer University School of Law, Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism
- National Institute for Teaching Ethics and Professionalism
- Stanford Center on the Legal Profession
- Texas Center for Legal Ethics
- The Freedman Institute at Hofstra University’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law
- The Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough Center for Professionalism
- The North Carolina Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism
- University of St. Thomas Holloran Center for Ethical Leadership