Are law firms and legal services considered “essential businesses” in Florida?
Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-91 (commonly known as the “stay at home order”) on April 1, 2020, and it took effect on April 3, 2020. This order specifically addresses the issue of what are essential services and activities during this COVID-19 emergency.
A review of EO 20-91 and EO 20-89 (issued on March 30, 2020) gives guidance as to what are essential services as defined by the Order. In Section 1. of EO 20-89, the Governor references Miami-Dade County Emergency Order 07-20, which defines essential services in Florida.
In Section 2.t. of Miami-Dade County’s Emergency Order 07-20, officials define as an essential service the following:
“Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities”
Accordingly, as Executive Order 20-91 stands today, law firms are considered an essential service provider. Therefore, it is my intention to stay open unless the Governor excludes legal services from the list of essential service providers. We will do everything necessary to assist our clients while remaining in compliance with legally mandated activities per the Governor orders.