LibGuides: Florida Legal Ethics: Florida Attorney Ethics Resources

Ethics Resources from the Florida Bar

Florida Bar Ethics Hotline - 800-235-8619 - The Florida Ethics Hotline was created in 1984 to provide attorneys a source of guidance when they face ethical questions arising from their practice.

Florida Bar Ethics Opinions - Ethic Opinions are non-binding opinions written by the Florida Bar Ethics Committee that guide what is permissible for Florida attorneys. Ethics opinions are topical and tend to address ethical difficulties brought to the Committee's attention by lawyers facing situations where ethical questions have been raised in their practice.

Find Ethics Opinions by Subject Index

Find Ethics Opinions by Opinion Number

Ethics Articles - Articles published by the Florida Bar that discuss timely ethical matters lawyers must be aware of or may face in their practice.

Researching Florida Ethics Resource Guide - This guide provides resources for attorneys who need guidance on researching ethical issues.

Ethics FAQs - This page provides information on topics that are frequent concerns for Florida attorneys.

Advertisement Ethics Resources - This page provides the rules governing attorney advertising and resources to help attorneys stay within the ethical boundaries when promoting their services.

Florida Courts Ethics Information

Florida Courts Publications Page - This page collects the publications of the Florida courts on a variety of matters. Often included in the publications are items concerning ethical considerations in the practice of law, including The Judicial Ethics Benchguide.

Code of Judicial Conduct Page - This page has the current code of judicial ethics and links to various resources on judicial ethics.

Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee Page - This page is the home page of the Florida Judicial Advisory Committee and provides its contact information and links to resources about judicial ethics.

United States Courts Judicial Policies - This page provides links to resources that cover the ethical rules of the federal courts.

Published Advisory Opinions of the United States - This page provides access to the published advisory opinions of the federal Committee on Codes of Conduct.

Online Florida CLE Materials for Ethics

Legal Fuel
Legal Fuel is the Florida Bar's online platform for on-demand CLE materials and practice information.
The Greatest Hits of 2020: Rules, Ethics Opinions, Recommendations, Member Benefits, & More!
2020 has been an unprecedented time of change for everyone and needless to say, there is a lot to talk about. So, for this final episode of 2020, hosts Christine Bilbrey and Karla Eckardt discuss the year’s greatest hits, including the most frequently asked questions at LegalFuel, some new Rules and Ethics opinions, a few tips on technology and working from home successfully, as well as some free Member Benefits that you may not be aware of including the new Lawyer Helpline.
The Rules of Retiring, Going Inactive, or Closing a Firm
In this episode hosts Christine Bilbrey and Karla Eckardt talk with The Bar’s own Jessica Malloy, Nathan McClure, and Jonathan Grabb to discuss the rules, processes, and best practices lawyers should consider when closing a firm, electing inactive membership status, or formally electing to retire from The Florida Bar.
The Ethics of Communicating with Clients Via Text Messages
Chances are you often text your clients as a convenient form of communicating with them. However, it’s critical to keep in mind that this form of communication carries with it a specific set of ethical and security risks. Do you know these risks and how to protect yourself against them? If not, this webinar will help get you up to speed.
The State of Professionalism in the Legal Industry
How well are guidelines for professionalism understood by lawyers? In this episode of the Florida Bar Podcast, hosts Christine Bilbrey and Karla Eckardt talk to Rebecca Bandy and Adriannette Williams about how the Florida Bar is seeking to elevate professionalism amongst its lawyers. Rebecca and Adriannette outline their roles at the Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism and describe the center’s current efforts to raise awareness. They discuss their many programs and resources on professionalism, which teach lawyers how to manage themselves in essential areas including professional communication, social media, mental health, mentoring, and more.
LegalFuel Speaker Series: Ten Ways to Avoid Bar Discipline
Ethical and professionalism issues arise during many facets of an attorney’s professional life. Knowledge of these issues enables attorneys and legal professionals to best represent clients and mitigate adverse consequences of ethical violations. This program will provide an overview of typical ethical issues affecting common practices, as well as means to address and resolve these issues.