Case Title: In Re: Amendments to The Code For Resolving Professionalism Complaints

Citation: 

Docket Number: SC15-944

State: florida

Court: Florida Supreme Court

Date: 2015-09-10T00:00:00Z

Document:
Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC15-944 
____________ 
 
 
IN RE:  AMENDMENTS TO THE CODE FOR RESOLVING 
PROFESSIONALISM COMPLAINTS. 
 
[September 10, 2015] 
 
PER CURIAM. 
 
The Court, on its own motion, amends the Code for Resolving 
Professionalism Complaints (Code).  We have jurisdiction.  See art. V, § 15, Fla. 
Const. 
 
We amend the provisions in the Code addressing the “Standards of 
Professionalism” to replace references to “The Florida Bar Ideals and Goals of 
Professionalism” with “The Florida Bar Professionalism Expectations.”  The Chair 
of The Florida Bar Standing Committee on Professionalism informed the Court 
that the Professionalism Expectations, which were approved by The Florida Bar 
Board of Governors on January 30, 2015, replaced the Ideals and Goals of 
Professionalism referenced in the Code. 
 
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Accordingly, the Code for Resolving Professionalism Complaints is 
amended as set forth in the appendix to this opinion.  New language is indicated by 
underscoring; deletions are indicated by struck-through type.  The amendments 
shall become effective immediately upon the release of this opinion.  Because the 
amendments were not previously published for comment, interested persons shall 
have sixty days from the date of this opinion in which to file comments with the 
Court.1  
It is so ordered. 
LABARGA, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, CANADY, POLSTON, 
and PERRY, JJ., concur.  
 
THE FILING OF A MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL NOT ALTER THE 
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE AMENDMENTS.  
 
Original Proceeding – Code for Resolving Professionalism Complaints  
 
 
 
                                          
 
1.  All comments must be filed with the Court on or before November 10, 
2015.  If filed by an attorney in good standing with The Florida Bar, the comment 
must be electronically filed via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal in accordance 
with In re Electronic Filing in the Supreme Court of Florida via the Florida Courts 
E-Filing Portal, Fla. Admin. Order No. AOSC13-7 (Feb. 18, 2013).  If filed by a 
nonlawyer or a lawyer not licensed to practice in Florida, the comment must be 
electronically filed via e-mail in accordance with In re Mandatory Submission of 
Electronic Copies of Documents, Fla. Admin. Order No. AOSC04-84 (Sept. 13, 
2004).  Electronically filed documents must be submitted in Microsoft Word 97 or 
higher.  Any person unable to submit a comment electronically must mail or hand-
deliver the originally signed comment to the Florida Supreme Court, Office of the 
Clerk, 500 South Duval Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1927; no additional 
copies are required or will be accepted. 
 
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APPENDIX 
 
Standards of Professionalism 
 
Members of The Florida Bar shall not engage in unprofessional conduct.  
“Unprofessional conduct” means substantial or repeated violations of the Oath of 
Admission to The Florida Bar, The Florida Bar Creed of Professionalism, The 
Florida Bar Ideals and Goals of Professionalism Expectations, The Rules 
Regulating The Florida Bar, or the decisions of The Florida Supreme Court.  
 
Unprofessional conduct, as defined above, in many instances will constitute a 
violation of one or more of the Rules of Professional Conduct.  In particular, Rule 
4-8.4(d) of The Rules Regulating The Florida Bar has been the basis for imposing 
discipline in such instances.  See generally, The Florida Bar v. Ratiner, 46 So. 3d 
35 (Fla. 2010); The Florida Bar v. Abramson, 3 So. 3d 964 (Fla. 2009); and The 
Florida Bar v. Martocci, 791 So. 2d 1074 (Fla. 2001). 
 
Implementation Procedures   
 
Section 1. Terminology 
 
1.1. Standards of Professionalism:  The Standards of Professionalism are set 
forth in the Oath of Admission to The Florida Bar, The Florida Bar Creed of 
Professionalism, The Florida Bar Ideals and Goals of Professionalism 
Expectations, The Rules Regulating The Florida Bar and the decisions of The 
Florida Supreme Court.   
 
1.2. – 1.6  [No Change] 
 
Sections 2. – 4. [No Change]