In response to Hurricane Helene, Bar activates lawyer misconduct hotline
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, The Florida Bar activated its Disciplinary Hotline to address resident concerns over potential professional misconduct and unlawful solicitation by lawyers in the storm’s aftermath.
Floridians who encounter such issues can report them by calling the hotline at 833-979-8225.
Bar rules strictly prohibit lawyers from soliciting clients in person, by phone, via cold call, or through third parties, unless the client is a family member or someone with whom the lawyer has a prior professional relationship. Additionally, lawyers are prohibited from sending direct mail solicitations to prospective clients within 30 days of an incident, including a hurricane or tropical storm.
“The Florida Bar is committed to ensuring that all of our members adhere to the highest professional standards, especially in times of crisis when Floridians are most vulnerable,” said Florida Bar President Roland Sanchez-Medina, Jr.
The Florida Bar is responsible for enforcing professional conduct rules for the state’s more than 112,000 lawyers. Its Division of Lawyer Regulation oversees the statewide disciplinary system, investigating all legitimate allegations of fraud and misconduct. The Florida Bar opens approximately 3,400 investigation files yearly, with 200-300 resulting in disciplinary action.
The Florida Bar’s Hurricane Information Page is updated regularly with essential resources, including information on legal assistance for both the public and the state’s lawyers. Resources for the public include:
- YLD Disaster Legal Services Hotline (1-866-550-2929), with the support of the ABA Young Lawyers Section and Federal Emergency Management Agency, is activated in the event of a storm to provide basic civil legal services for people who cannot otherwise afford representation.
- Florida Free Legal Answers, an advice clinic that matches low-income Floridians with licensed attorneys who can answer basic legal questions online.
- Legal Aid Assistance, which provides civil legal assistance for Floridians.
- Mass Disaster Consumer Pamphlet, providing guidance on who to contact for legal assistance and how to protect their legal rights during and after a mass disaster.
- Information for consumers on who to contact about price gouging, unlawful solicitations, unlicensed practice of law, and legal complaints.
“The Bar is here to serve as a safeguard, ensuring that residents receive the ethical legal support they need to recover from the impacts of this storm,” Sanchez-Medina said.
