The Florida Bar

Professionalism Handbook

Professionalism is the pursuit and practice of the highest ideals and tenets of the legal profession. It embraces far more than simply complying with the minimal standards of professional conduct. The essential ingredients of professionalism are character, competence, civility, and commitment.

The Professionalism Handbook is an informational source for students at Florida law schools. Although the handbook is substantially complete, periodic changes are made to the rules that may not be immediately reflected on the website. Applicability to a particular situation depends on an investigation of the specific facts and an exhaustive study of the current relevant rules. Accordingly, any of these Rules, Ideals or Guidelines should be verified from other sources before being cited as authority.

Review the 2019-2021 Professionalism Handbook

This handbook was published in August of 2019. Please note that the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar may have changed after publication of this handbook.