Bar releases latest mandatory professionalism CLE
The latest version of the Supreme Court-mandated professionalism CLE is available free on The Florida Bar website.
“2026 Professionalism Expectations: A Mandatory CLE for Members of The Florida Bar,” is available at the Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism website.
Course No. 9736, recorded March 23, is nearly two and a half hours long and approved for 2 CLE credits; all of which can be applied towards Professionalism.
In her welcoming remarks, Florida Bar President Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes notes the Supreme Court adopted the professionalism CLE requirement in a July 2023 order, after reviewing a Bar special committee’s recommendations.
“We hope that you enjoy this CLE and that you will apply the principles that you will learn here throughout your legal career,” Baker-Barnes says. “These principles will improve our justice system and your own experience practicing law.”
Standing Committee on Professionalism Chair Charise Morgan, a Miami attorney, leads a panel discussion with four other lawyers, some fellow committee members, in “Section II Professionalism Expectations.”
Morgan defines professionalism as the “pursuit and practice of the highest ideals and tenants of the legal profession — character, competence, commitment, and civility.”
Morgan notes that 32% of respondents to a recent Florida Bar member poll identified lack of professionalism as the biggest problem facing lawyers today.
“Our adversarial system is built for conflict, but it’s not built for animosity,” says one panel member, Jacksonville attorney Andrew Herman.
In “ Section III The Relationship Between Ethics and Professionalism,” moderator Tim Chinaris notes that a conversation he had decades ago with a Florida Supreme Court justice led to the July 1996 creation of the Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism.
A former Florida Bar ethics counsel who represents lawyers in disciplinary matters, Chinaris discusses the distinction between professionalism and ethics, and how they reinforce each other.
“Professionalism and ethics are more alike than different, both are crucial to the lawyer, the public, and the clients we serve,” he said. “Our legal system works better for everyone when we focus on the common bonds that tie ethics and professionalism together.”
In “Section IV, Regulating the Profession — Part I,” Second Judicial Circuit Judge Stephen Everett stresses that the Florida Supreme Court is determined to maintain the highest standards of the legal profession — and lacks any tolerance for “lawyers behaving badly.”
“I believe that it’s important to remember that the Supreme Court isn’t interested in professionalism for the sake of appearances,” he says. “Professional misconduct poses a real threat to the public and a real threat to the administration of justice.”
Other segments include:
- “Section V Regulating Professionalism, Part Two” features Tallahassee attorney Richard Greenberg, who represents lawyers in disciplinary matters.
- “Section VI How to Avoid Bar Discipline” features Miami attorney Brian L. Tannebaum, who also represents lawyers in disciplinary matters.
- “Section VII The Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism/Professionalism Resources” features Tallahassee attorneys Jessica Falkner and Russell Monilla.
- “Section VIII Other Bar Resources” features Tampa attorney Alexis Deveaux.
- “Section IX YLD” features Young Lawyers Division President Arti Hirani of Winter Park.
- “Section X Mentoring New Lawyers/Counsel to Counsel” features Orlando attorney Sharlene Stanford Greene, and former Florida Bar President Gary Lesser of West Palm Beach.
- “Section XI Leadership Academy” features Jacksonville attorney David Thompson, and Orlando attorney Brandon Sapp, who co-chair the Leadership Academy, and Tallahassee attorney Magie Ozarowski, host of the Center for Professionalism’s popular podcast, “On Civility.”
- “Section XII The Future of Law” Features sunrise attorney Jaclyn Behar, a member of the Student Education and Admissions to the Bar Committee.
- “Section XIII Professionalism Advice from a Seasoned Attorney” features South Florida attorney, author, and 50-year Florida Bar member Paul Lipton.
