In re Amendments to the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar (140 So. 3d 541, 2014)

REVISED OPINION

PER CURIAM.

The opinion dated March 27, 2014, is withdrawn and this revised opinion is substituted in its place.

This matter is before the Court on the petition of The Florida Bar proposing amendments to the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar. See R. Regulating Fla. Bar 1-12.1. We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 15, Fla. Const.

The petition, which proposes amendments to existing rules, was approved by the Board of Governors. Formal notice of the proposed amendments was published in the September 1, 2012, issue of The Florida Bar News. The notice was also published on The Florida Bar’s website. The Bar did not receive any comments after the proposals were published for comment. Thereafter, on October 18, 2012, the Bar filed the proposed amendments with the Court. Only one comment was filed with the Court.

The Bar petitions to amend Rules Regulating the Florida Bar 1-3.7 (Reinstatement to Membership); 1-7.3 (Membership Fees); 2-7.3 (Creation of Sections and Divisions); 3-4.1 (Notice and Knowledge of Rules; Jurisdiction Over Attorneys of Other States and Foreign Countries); 3-6.1 (Generally); 3-7.1 (Confidentiality); 3-7.2 (Procedures Upon Criminal or Professional Misconduct; Discipline Upon Determination or Judgment of Guilt of Criminal Misconduct; Discipline on Removal From Judicial Office); 3-7.10 (Reinstatement and Readmission Procedures); 4-1.6 (Confidentiality of Information); 4^1.7 (Conflict of Interest; Current Clients); 4-1.9 (Conflict of Interest; Former Client); 4-1.10 (Imputation of Conflicts of Interest; General Rule); 4-2.4 (Lawyer Serving as Third-Party Neutral); 4-3.4 (Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel); 4-4.2 (Communication With Person Represented by Counsel); 4-6.5 (Voluntary pro bono plan); 4-8.6 (Authorized Business Entities); 5-1.2 (Trust Accounting Records and Procedures); 10-3.1 (Generally); 10-7.2 (Proceedings For Indirect Criminal Contempt); 12-1.2 (Definitions); 12-1.3 (Activities); 12-1.4 (Supervision and limitations); 12-1.5 (Certification); 12-1.6 (Withdrawal of certification); 12-1.7 (Discipline); 14-1.2 (Jurisdiction); 17-1.3 (Activities); 20-2.1 (Generally); 20-3.1 (Requirements for Registration); 20-4.1 (Generally); and 20-6.1 (Generally). After considering the petition, the Court adopts The Florida Bar’s proposals, except as follows.

The Bar proposes amending Rule 3-6.1 (Employment of Certain Lawyers or Former Lawyers; Generally) by adding new subdivision (d)(4) to prohibit suspended attorneys and former attorneys who have been disbarred, or whose disciplinary resignations or revocations have been allowed, from representing clients in administrative proceedings and before administrative agencies which allow nonlawyer agents or “qualified representatives” to represent clients in certain circumstances. Although we appreciate the Bar’s diligent work on this issue, we do not adopt the proposal because we do not have the authority to prohibit a lawyer from doing non-legal work or engaging in lawful activities.

Next, the Bar proposes amending Rule 4r-l .7(d) (Conflict of Interest; Current Clients; Lawyers Related by Blood or Marriage) to clarify that family relationships that must be considered as creating conflicts between lawyers include relationships by blood or marriage. We agree with the proposal, but modify it to also include lawyers who are related by adoption. As we state in the comment to the rule, “The purpose of Rule 4 — 1.7(d) is to prohibit representation of adverse interests, unless informed consent is given by the client, by a lawyer related to another lawyer by blood, adoption, or marriage as a parent, child, sibling, or spouse so as to include those with biological or adopted children and within relations by marriage those who would be considered in-laws and stepchildren and stepparents.” We adopt the rule as modified herein. In addition, we direct the Bar to study the rule further and consider whether the current categories should be broadened beyond parent, child, sibling, and spouse to include other significant relationships.

Accordingly, the Court adopts the amendments to the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar as set forth in the appendix to this opinion. Deletions are indicated by struck-through type, and new language is indicated by underscoring. The comments are offered for explanation and guidance only and are not adopted as an official part of the rules. The amendments to rule 10-3.1(a) shall become effective on July 1, 2015, at 12:01 a.m. The remainder of the amendments shall become effective on June 1, 2014, at 12:01 a.m.

It is so ordered.

POLSTON, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, LABARGA, and PERRY, JJ., concur.

CANADY, J., concurs in result.

APPENDIX

RULES REGULATING THE FLORIDA BAR

CHAPTER 1 GENERAL

1-3. MEMBERSHIP

RULE 1-3.7 REINSTATEMENT TO MEMBERSHIP

(a) Eligibility for Reinstatement. Members who have retired or been delinquent for a period of time not in excess of 5 years are eligible for reinstatement under this rule. Time shallwill be calculated from the day of the retirement or delinquency.

Inactive members may also seek reinstatement under this rule.

(b) Petitions Required. A member seeking reinstatement must file a petition with the executive director setting forth the reason for inactive status, retirement, or delinquency and showing good cause why the petition for reinstatement should be granted. The petition gfaailmust be on a form approved by the board of governors and the petitioner shallwill furnish such information on such form as the board of governors may require. The petition sfaahmust be accompanied by a nonrefundable reinstatement fee of $150 and payment of all arrearages unless adjusted by the executive director with concurrence of the executive committee for good cause shown. Inactive members shall not beare not required to pay the reinstatement fee. No member shallwill be reinstated if, from the petition or from investigation conducted, the petitioner is not of good moral character and morally fit to practice law or if the member is delinquent in-compliance with the continuing legal education or basic skills course requirements.

If the executive director is in doubt as to approval of a petition the executive director may refer the petition to the board of governors for its action. Action of the executive director or board of governors denying a petition for reinstatement may be reviewed upon petition to the Supreme Court of Florida.

(c) Members Who Have Retired or Been Delinquent for Less Than 5 Years, But More Than 3 Years. Members who have retired or been delinquent for less than 5 years, but more than 3 years, shall-must have completed 10 hours- of-continuing legal education courses for each year or portion thereofof a year that the member had retired or was deemed delinquent.

(d) Members Who Have Retired or Been Delinquent for 5 Years or More. Members who have retired or have been deemed delinquent for a period of 5 years or longer shaliwill not be reinstated under this rule and must be readmitted upon application to and approval by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners.

(e) Members Who Have Permanently Retired. Members who have permanently retired shaliwill not be reinstated under this rule.

(f) Members Delinquent 60 Days or Less. Reinstatement from membership fees delinquency accomplished within 60 days from the date of delinquency shall be deemed-to-relates back to the date before the delinquency. Any member reinstated within the 60-day period shall-not-beis not subject to disciplinary sanction for practicing law in Florida during that time.

(g) Inactive Members. Inactive members may be reinstated to membership in good standing by petition filed with the executive director, in the form and as provided in (b) above, except:

(1) If the member has been inactive for greater than 5 years, but-has been authorized to practice law in another jurisdiction, and either actively practiced law in anothe-r-that jurisdiction for — the entire period-of-time-or held a position that requires a license as an attorneya lawyer for the entire period of time, the member shaliwill be required to complete the Florida Law Update continuing legal education course as part of continuing legal education requirements.

(2) If the member has been inactive for greater than 5 years and has-been authorized to but has not activel-y-pr-ac-ticed law ⅛-another — jurisdiction or held a position that requires a license as- an attorney for the entire period- of-time-does not meet the -requirements-of-subdivision (1), the member shaliwill be required to complete the basic skills course requirement and the 30-hour continuing legal education requirement.

(3) An inactive member shall-not-beis not eligible for reinstatement until all applicable continuing legal education requirements have been completed and the remaining portion of membership fees for members in good standing for the current fiscal year have been paid.

1-7. MEMBERSHIP FEES AND FISCAL CONTROL

RULE 1-7.3 MEMBERSHIP FEES

(a) Membership Fees Requirement.

On or before July 1 of each year, every member of The Florida Bar, except those members who have retired, resigned, been disbarred, or been classified as inactive members pursuant to rule 3-7.13, shall-must-pay annual membership fees to The Florida Bar in the amount set by the budget, provided- that the- board-of-governors shall -nob-fis-the-membership fees at more-thanof $265 per annum. At the-time of- the payment-of membership fees eEv-ery member of The Florida Bar shallmust pay the membership fee and concurrently file with the executive-direetor-a fee statement setting forthwith any information that may be required — by—the board of governors requires.

(b) Prorated Membership Fees. Membership fees will be prorated for anyoneP-ersons admitted to The Florida Bar subsequent-toafter July 1 of any fiscal year shall pay the annual membership fees for-that fiscal year. The prorated amount will be based on the basis of-the-number of full calendar months ofremaining in the fiscal year remaining at the time of their admission.

Failure -to -payUnpaid prorated membership fees shall-result-m-the-amount-of-such proratedwill be added to the next annual membership fees being-added-to-the-next annual-member-ship-fees-billingbill with no penalty to the member — without—penalty. The Florida Bar must receive the combined prorated and annual membership fees payment must thereafter be received by The Florida Bar, on or before August 15 of the first full year fees are due unless the member elects to pay by installment under this rule.

(c) Installment Payment of Membership Fees. Members of The Florida Bar may elect to pay annual membership fees in 3 equal installments as follows:

(1) in the second and third year of their admission to The Florida Bar; — or

(2) if the member is employed by a federal, state, or local government in a non-elected position that requires the individual to maintain membership in good standing within The Florida Bar*; or

(3) if the member is experiencing an undue hardship.

A member’s notice of election to must notify The Florida Bar of the intention to pay membership fees in installments-under this rule and the. The first installment payment thereunder must be postmarked no later than August 15. The second and third installment payments must be postmarked no later than November 1 and February 1, respectively.

Second and/or third installment payments postmarked after their respective due date(s) shall beare subject to a onetime late charge of $50 — per-fiscal- ■ year, which shall. The late charge must accompany the final payment unless adjusted by the. The executive director with concurrence of the executive committee for- good cause — shownmay adjust the late charge.

The executive director shallwill send written notice by registered — or— certified mai-I-to the last official bar address of each member whose membership fees and late fees have has not bees-paid under this ralemembership fees and late fees by February 1. Written notice may be by registered or certified mail, or by return receipt electronic mail. The member will be a delinquent member if ■Upon-failure-to ■ pay membership fees and anyJate charges under this ruleare not paid by March 15T unless-adjus-ted-by-the. The executive director with concurrence of the executive committee may adjust these fees or due date for good cause-shown — the-member shall-be-a-delinquent-member.

Each member who elects to pay annual membership fees in installments under-this rule-may be charged an additional administrative fee set by the board of governors to defray the costs of this activity- -as-set-by the Board of Governors.

(d)Election of Inactive Membership. A member in good standing may elect by August-l-5-of-a-fiseal-yeag-to be classified as an inactive member. Such election shall be made only by indication of such eheieeThis election must be indicated on the annual membership fees statement and payment of the -preseribed annual membership — feesand received by The Florida Bar by August 15. Failure-to make - the initial election by August 15 shall constitute a waiver-of-thelf the annual membership fees statement is received after August 15, the member’s right to the electioninactive status is waived until the next fiscal year. Once a member has properly elected to be classified.as-an-inactive-member, suchlnactive classification shallwill continue from fiscal year to fiscal year until such time-as-the member is reinstated as a member in good standing as elsewhere provided in these ruleswho is eligible to practice law in Florida. The election of inactive status shall befe subject to the restrictions and limitations elsewhere provided elsewhere in these rules.

Membership fees for inactive members shall be set by the board of governors- in an — amount not to exceed are $175 per annum.

(e) Late Payment of Membership Fees. Payment of annual membership fees must be postmarked no later than August 15. Membership fees payments postmarked after August 15 shahmust be accompanied by a late charge of $50 unless adjusted- by the executive director — with concurrence of the executive-commitlee-for good-cause-shown. The executive director shallwill send written notice hy-reglstered or certified mail to the last official bar address of each member whose membership fees have not been paid by August 15. Written notice may be -by-registered-or certified mail, or by-return-receipt-elee-tronic-mail. — The -member-is-considered a delinquent member upon Upon failure to pay membership fees and any late charges by September 30, unless adjusted by the executive director with concurrence of the executive committee for good cause shown, the-member-shall-be-a-delinquent-member.

(f) Membership Fees Exemption for Activated Reserve Members of the Armed Services. Members of The Florida Bar engaged in reserve military service in the Armed Forces of the United States who are called to active duty for 30 days or more during the bar’s fiscal year shall beare exempt from the payment of membership fees required under-this-rule. For purposes — of this — rule,—theThe Armed Forces of the United States includes the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, as well as the Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, the Air National Guard of the United States, the Air Force Reserve, and the Coast Guard Reserve. Requests for an exemption shahmust be made within 15 days before the date that membership fees are due each year or within 15 days of activation to duty of a reserve member. To the extent membership fees were paid despite qualifying for this exemption, such membership fee shallwill be reimbursed by The Florida Bar within 30 days of receipt of a member’s request for exemption. Within 30 days of leaving active duty status, the member shahmust report to The Florida Bar that he or she is no longer on active duty status in the United States Armed Forces.

CHAPTER 2. BYLAWS OF THE FLORIDA BAR

2-7. SECTIONS AND DIVISIONS BYLAW

2-7.3 CREATION OF SECTIONS AND DIVISIONS

Sections and divisions may be created or abolished by the board of governors as deemed necessary or desirable.

(a) Sections. The following sections of The Florida Bar have been created by the board of governors:

(1) Administrative Law Section;

(2) Alternative Dispute Resolution Section;

(23) Appellate Practice Section;

(34) Business Law Section;

(45) City, County and Local Government Law Section;

(§6) Criminal Law Section;

(€7) Elder Law Section;

(78) Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Section;

(89) Environmental and Land Use Law Section;

(910) Equal Opportunities Law Section; (4911) Family Law Section;

(4412) General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section;

(4213) Government Lawyer Section; (4314) Health Law Section;

(4415) International Law Section;

(4516) Labor and Employment Law Section;

(4917) Public Interest Law Section;

(4718) Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section;

(4819) Tax Section;

(4920) Trial Lawyers Section; and

(2021) Workers’ Compensation Section,

(b) [No Change]

CHAPTER 3. RULES OF DISCIPLINE

SUBCHAPTER 3-4 STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

RULE 3-4.1 NOTICE AND KNOWLEDGE OF RULES; JURISDICTION OVER ATT-ORN-E¥SLAW-YERS OF OTHER STATES AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES

Every member of The Florida Bar and every attorneylawyer of another state or foreign country who provides or offers to provide any legal services in this state is within the jurisdiction and subject to the disciplinary authority of this court and its agencies under this rule and is charged with notice and held to know the provisions of this rule and the standards of ethical and professional conduct prescribed by this court. Jurisdiction over an at-tomeya lawyer of another state who is not a member of The Florida Bar shall-beis limited to conduct as aa-attor-neya lawyer in relation to the business for which the attorneylawyer was permitted to practice in this state and the privilege in the future to practice law in the state of Florida. When The Florida Bar disciplines a lawyer that the bar is aware has bar membership in a European Union (E.U.) nation, the bar will notify the appropriate E.U. representative. The bar will use forms adopted by the Council of Laws and Bar Societies of Europe (CCBE) and the Conference of Chief Justices of the United States.

3-6. EMPLOYMENT OF CERTAIN ATTORNEYSLAWYERS OR FORMER AT-T-QRNE-YSLAWYERS

RULE 3-6.1 GENERALLY

(a) Authorization and Application. Except as limited in this rule, persons or entities providing legal services may employ suspended lawyers and former lawyers who have been disbarred or whose disciplinary resignations or disciplinary revocations have been granted by the Florida Supreme Court [for purposes of this rule such lawyers and former lawyers are referred to as “individual(s) subject to this rule”] to perform those services that may ethically be performed by nonlawyers employed by authorized business entities.

An individual subject to this rule shall befe considered as-employed by an entity providing legal services if the individual is a salaried or hourly employee, volunteer worker, or an independent contractor providing services to the entity.

(b) Employment by Former Subordinates Prohibited for a Period of 3 Years. An individual subject to this rule may not, for a period of 8 years from the entry of the order pursuant to which the suspension, disciplinary resignation, disciplinary revocation, or disbarment became effective, or until the individual is reinstated or readmitted to the practice of law, whichever occurs sooner, be employed by or work under, the supervision of another lawyer who was supervised by the individual at the time of or subsequent to the acts giving rise to the order.

(c) Notice of Employment Required.

Before employment commences, the entity sballmust provide The Florida Bar with a notice of employment and a detailed description of the intended services to be provided by the individual subject to this rule.

(d) Prohibited Conduct.

(1) Direct Client Contact. Individuals subject to this rule sballmust not have direct contact with any client. Direct client contact does not include the participation of the individual as an observer in any meeting, hearing, or interaction between a supervising aftomey-lawyer and a client.

(2) Trust Funds or Property. Individuals subject to this rule sballmust not receive, disburse, or otherwise handle trust funds or property.

(3) Practice of Law. Individuals subject to this rule sballmust not engage in conduct that constitutes the practice of law and such individuals sballmust not hold themselves out as being eligible to do so.

(e)Quarterly Reports by Individual and Employer Required. The individual subject to this rule and employer sball-must submit sworn information-reports to The Florida Bar. Such reports sballmust be filed quarterly, based on the calendar year, and include statements that no aspect of the work of the individual subject to this rule has involved the unlicensed practice of law, that the individual subject to this rule has had no direct client contact, that the individual subject to this rule did not receive, disburse, or otherwise handle trust funds or property, and that the individual subject to this rule is not being supervised by an attorneya lawyer whom the individual subject to this rule supervised within the 3 years immediately previous to the date of the suspension, disbarment, or — disciplinary resignation, or disciplinary revocation.

3-7. PROCEDURES RULE

3-7.1 CONFIDENTIALITY

(a) Scope of Confidentiality. All matters including files, preliminary investigation reports, interoffice memoranda, records of investigations, and the records in trials and other proceedings under these rules, except those disciplinary matters conducted in circuit courts, are property of The Florida Bar. All of those matters shall beare confidential and shallwill not be disclosed except as provided hereinin these rules. When disclosure is permitted under these rules, it shallwill be limited to information concerning the status of the proceedings and any information that is part of the public record as defined in these rules.

Unless otherwise ordered by this court or the referee in proceedings under these rules, nothing in these rules shallwill prohibit the complainant, respondent, or any witness from disclosing the existence of proceedings under these rules, or from disclosing any documents or correspondence served on or provided to those persons.

(1) Pending Investigations. Disciplinary matters pending at the initial investigatory and grievance committee levels shall beare treated as confidential by The Florida Bar, except as provided in rules 3-7.1(e) and (k).

(2) Minor Misconduct Cases. Any case in which a finding of minor misconduct has been entered by action of the -grievance committee or board shall -beis public information.

(3) Probable Cause Cases. Any disciplinary case in which a finding of probable cause for further disciplinary proceedings has been entered shall beis public information. For purposes of this subdivision a finding of probable cause shall-beis deemed to-have-been-made in those cases authorized by rule 3-3.2(a), for the filing of a formal complaint without the prior necessity of a finding of probable cause.

(4) No Probable Cause Cases. Any disciplinary case that has been concluded by a finding of no probable cause for further disciplinary proceedings shall beis public information.

(5) Diversion or Referral to Grievance Mediation Program. Any disciplinary case that has been concluded by diversion to a practice and professionalism enhancement program or by referral to the grievance mediation program shall-beis public information upon the entry of such a recommendation.

(6) Contempt Cases. Contempt proceedings authorized elsewhere in these rules shall beare public information even though the underlying disciplinary matter is confidential as defined in these rules.

(7) Incapacity Not Involving Misconduct. Proceedings for placement on the inactive list for incapacity not involving misconduct shall beare public information upon the filing of the petition with the Supreme Court of Florida.

(8) Petition for Emergency Suspension or Probation. Proceedings seeking a petition for emergency suspension or probation shall beare public information.

(9) Proceedings on Determination or Adjudication of Guilt of Criminal Misconduct. Proceedings on determination or adjudication of guilt of criminal misconduct, as provided elsewhere in these rules, shall beare public information.

(10) Professional Misconduct in Foreign Jurisdiction. Proceedings based on disciplinary sanctions entered by a foreign court or other authorized disciplinary agency, as provided elsewhere in these rules, shall-beare public information.

(11) Reinstatement Proceedings. Reinstatement proceedings, as provided elsewhere in these rules, shall-beare public information.

(12) Disciplinary Resignations. Proceedings involving petitions for disciplinary resignation, as provided elsewhere in these rules, shall-beare public information.

(b) Public Record. The public record shall consists of the record before a grievance committee, the record before a referee, the record before the Supreme Court of Florida, and any reports, correspondence, papers, recordings, and/or transcripts of hearings furnished to, served on, or received from the respondent or the complainant.

(c) Circuit Court Proceedings. Proceedings under rule 3-3.5 shall beare public information.

(d) Limitations on Disclosure. Any material provided to The Florida Bar that is confidential under applicable law shall-will remain confidential and shallwill not be disclosed except as authorized by the applicable law. If this type of material is made a part of the public record, that portion of the public record may be sealed by the grievance committee chair, the referee, or the Supreme Court of Florida.

The procedure for maintaining the required confidentiality shall be as is set forth in subdivision (m) below.

(e) Response to Inquiry. Authorized representatives of The Florida Bar shall-will respond to-specific-inquiries concerning matters that are in the public domain, but otherwise confidential under the rules, by acknowledging the status of the proceedings.

(f) Notice to Law Firms. When a disciplinary file is opened the respondent shaHmust disclose to the respondent’s current law firm and, if different, the respondent’s law firm at the time of the act or acts giving rise to the complaint, the fact that a disciplinary file has been opened. Disclosure sfaallmust be in writing and in the following form:

A complaint of unethical conduct against me has been filed with The Florida Bar. The nature of the allegations are _____ This notice is provided pursuant to rule 3 — 7.1(f) of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar.

The notice sfaallmust be provided within 15 days of notice that a disciplinary file has been opened and a copy of the above notice sfaallmust be served on The Florida Bar.

(g) [No Change]

(h) Notice to Judges. Any judge of a court of record upon inquiry of the judge shallwill be advised and, absent an inquiry, may be advised as to the status of a confidential disciplinary case and may be provided with a copy of documents in the file that would be part of the public record if the case was not confidential. The judge sfaallmust maintain the confidentiality of the records and shall not otherwise disclose the status of the case.

(i) Evidence of Crime. The confidential nature of these proceedings sbaildoes not preclude the giving of any information or testimony to authorities authorized to investigate alleged criminal activity.

(j) Chemical Dependency and Psychological Treatment. That an attorneya lawyer has voluntarily sought, received, or accepted treatment for chemical dependency or psychological problems shall beis confidential and shallwill not be admitted as evidence in disciplinary proceedings under these rules unless agreed to by the attorney who sought the treatment.

For purposes of this subdivision, an at-tor-ney-shall-bea lawyer is deemed to have voluntarily sought, received, or accepted treatment for chemical dependency or psychological problems if the attorneylawyer was not under compulsion of law or rule to do so, or if the treatment is not a part of conditional admission to The Florida Bar or of a disciplinary sanction imposed under these rules.

It is the purpose of this subdivision to encourage attor-neyslawyers to voluntarily seek advice, counsel, and treatment available to attorneyslawyers, without fear that the fact it is sought or rendered will or might cause embarrassment in any future disciplinary matter.

(k) [No Change]

(i) Disclosure by Waiver of Respondent. Upon written waiver executed by a respondent, The Florida Bar may disclose the status of otherwise confidential disciplinary proceedings and provide copies of the public record to:

(l)-(2) [No Change]

(3) The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education and any of its certification committees for the purpose of evaluating the character and fitness of a candidate for board certification or recertification; or

(34) the governor of the State of Florida for the purpose of evaluating the character and fitness of a nominee to judicial office.

(m) Maintaining Confidentiality Required by Rule or Law. The bar will maintain confidentiality of documents and records in its possession and control as required by applicable federal or state law in accordance with the requirements of Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.420. It shallwill be the duty of respondents and other persons submitting documents and information to the bar to notify bar staff that such documents or information contain material that is exempt from disclosure under applicable rule or law and to request that such exempt material be protected and not be considered public record. Requests to exempt from disclosure all or part of any documents or records must be accompanied by reference to the statute or rule applicable to the information for which exemption is claimed.

RULE 3-7.2 PROCEDURES UPON CRIMINAL OR PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT; DISCIPLINE UPON DETERMINATION OR JUDGMENT OF GUILT OF CRIMINAL MISCONDUCT; DISCIPLINE ON REMOVAL FROM JUDICIAL OFFICE

(a)Definitions.

(1) Judgment of Guilt. For the purposes of these rules, “judgment of guilt” shalb-includes only those cases in which the trial court in the criminal proceeding enters an order adjudicating the respondent guilty of the offense(s) charged.

(2) Determination of Guilt. For the purposes of these rules, “determination of guilt” shall — includes those cases in which the trial court in the criminal proceeding enters an order withholding adjudication of the respondent’s guilt of the offense(s) charged, those cases in which the convicted attorneylawyer has entered a plea of guilty to criminal charges, those cases in which the convicted attorneylawyer has entered a no contest plea to criminal charges, those cases in which the jury has rendered a verdict of guilty of criminal charges, and those cases in which the trial judge in a bench trial has rendered a verdict of guilty of criminal charges.

(3) Convicted AttorneyLawyer. For the purposes of these rules, “convicted attorneylawyer” shall mean-an-attorney-means a lawyer-who-has-had-either a determination or judgment of guilt entered by the trial court in the criminal proceeding.

(b) Determination or Judgment of Guilt, Admissibility; Proof of Guilt. Determination or judgment of guilt of a member of The Florida Bar by a court of competent jurisdiction upon trial of or plea to any crime under the laws of this state, or under the laws under which any other court making such determination or entering such judgment exercises its jurisdiction, shall beis admissible in proceedings under these rules and shall-beis conclusive proof of guilt of the criminal offense(s) charged for the purposes of these rules.

(c) Notice of Institution of Felony Criminal Charges. Upon the institution of a felony criminal charge against a member of The Florida Bar by the filing of an indictment or information the member shalimust within 10 days of the institution of. the felony criminal charges notify the executive director of The Florida Bar of such charges. Notice shall-includes a copy of the document(s) evidencing institution of the charges.

If the state attorney whose office is assigned to a felony criminal case is aware that the defendant is a member of The Florida Bar, the state attorney shalimust provide a copy of the indictment or information to the executive director.

(d)Notice of Determination or Judgment of Guilt of Felony Charges.

(1) Trial Judge. If any such determination or judgment is entered in a court of the State of Florida, the trial judge shalimust, within 10 days of the date on which the determination or judgment is entered, give notice thereof to the executive director of The Florida Bar and shalhinclude a certified copy of the docu-mentes) on which the determination or judgment was entered.

(2) Clerk of Court. If any such determination or judgment is entered in a court of the State of Florida, the clerk thereof shallof that court must, within 10 days of the date on which the determination or judgment is entered, give notice thereof to the executive director and shall-include a certified copy of the docu-mentes) on which the determination or judgment was entered.

(3) State Attorney. If the state attorney whose office is assigned to a felony criminal case is aware that the defendant is a member of The Florida Bar, the state attorney shalimust give notice of the determination or judgment of guilt to the executive director and shall include a copy of the document(s) evidencing such determination or judgment.

(e) Notice by Members of Determination or Judgment of Guilt of All Criminal Charges. A member of The Florida Bar shalimust within 10 days of entry of a determination or judgment for any criminal offense, which was entered on or after August 1, 2006, notify the executive director of The Florida Bar of such determination or judgment. Notice shalimust include a copy of the document(s) on which such determination or judgment was entered.

(f) Suspension by Judgment of Guilt (Felonies). Upon receiving notice that a member of the bar has been determined to be or adjudicated guilty of a felony, the bar will file a “Notice of Determination or Judgment of Guilt” or a consent judgment for disbarment or disciplinary revocation in the Supreme Court of Florida. A copy of the document(s) on which the determination or judgment is based shalimust be attached to the notice. Upon the filing of the notice with the Supreme Court of Florida and service of such notice upon the respondent, the respondent shall-standls suspended as a member of The Florida Bar as defined in rule 3-5.1(e).

(g) Petition to Modify or Terminate Suspension. At any time after-the filing of a notice of determination or judgment of guilt, the respondent may file a petition with the Supreme Court of Florida to modify or terminate such suspension and shall-must-serve-a-copy- thereof uponof the petition on the executive director. The filing of such petition shaliwill not operate as a stay of the suspension imposed under the authority of this rule.

(h) Appointment of Referee. Upon the entry of an order of suspension, as provided above, the supreme court shall-must promptly appoint or direct-the-appointment of a referee.

(1) Hearing on Petition to Terminate or Modify Suspension. The referee shallmust hear a petition to terminate or modify a suspension imposed under this rule within 7 days of appointment and submit a report and recommendation to the Supreme Court of Florida within 7 days of the date of the hearing. The referee shallwill recommend termination or modification of the suspension only if the suspended member can demonstrate that the member is not the convicted person or that the criminal offense is not a felony.

(2) Hearing on Sanctions. In addition to conducting a hearing on a petition to terminate or modify a suspension entered under this rule, the referee sfaallmay also hear argument concerning the appropriate sanction to be imposed and file a report and recommendation with the supreme court in the same manner and form as provided in rule 3-7.6(m) of these rules. The hearing shallmust be held and a report and rec.ommendation shall--befiled with the supreme court within 90 days of assignment as referee.

The respondent may challenge the imposition of a sanction only on the grounds of mistaken identity or whether the conduct involved constitutes a felony under applicable law. The respondent may present relevant character evidence and relevant matters of mitigation regarding the proper sanction to be imposed. The respondent may cannot contest the findings of gufit in the criminal proceedings. A respondent who entered a plea in the criminal proceedings may beis allowed to explain the circumstances concerning the entry of the plea for purposes of mitigation.

The report and recommendations of the referee may be reviewed in the same manner as provided in rule 3-7.7 of these rules.

(i) Appeal of Conviction. If an appeal is taken by the respondent from the determination or judgment in the criminal proceeding, the suspension shallwill remain in effect during the appeal. If on review the cause is remanded for further proceedings, the suspension shallwill remain in effect until the final disposition of the criminal cause unless modified or terminated by the Supreme Court of Florida as elsewhere provided.

Further, the suspension imposed shall-will-remain in effect until civil-rights have been restored and until the respondent is reinstated.

(j)-(k) [No Change]

(Z) Professional Misconduct in Foreign Jurisdiction.

(1) Notice of Discipline by a Foreign Jurisdiction. A member of The Florida Bar who has submitted a disciplinary resignation or otherwise surrendered a license to practice law in lieu of disciplinary sanction, or has been disbarred or suspended from the practice of law by a court or other authorized disciplinary agency of another state or by a federal court shallmust within 30 days after the effective date of the disciplinary resignation, disbarment or suspension file with the Supreme Court of Florida and the executive director of The Florida Bar a copy of the order or judgment effecting such disciplinary resignation, disbarment or suspension.

(2) Effect of Adjudication or Discipline by a Foreign Jurisdiction. On petition of The Florida Bar supported by a copy of a final adjudication by a foreign court or disciplinary authority, the Supreme Court of Florida may issue an order suspending on an emergency basis the member who is the subject of the final adjudication. All of the conditions not in conflict with this rule applicable to issuance of emergency suspension orders elsewhere within these Rules Regulating The Florida Bar shall beare applicable to orders entered under this rule.

(m) Discipline Upon Removal From Judicial Office.

(1) Notice of Removal. If an order of the Supreme Court of Florida removes a member of The Florida Bar from judicial office for judicial misconduct, the clerk of the supreme court shallwill forward a copy of the order of removal to the executive director of The Florida Bar.

■ (2) [No Change]

(3) Admissibility of Order; Conclusive Proof of Facts. The order of removal shall-beis admissible in proceedings under these rules and shall-beis conclusive proof of the facts on which the judicial misconduct was found by the court.

(4) Determination of Lawyer Misconduct. The issue of whether the facts establishing the judicial misconduct also support a finding of lawyer misconduct shall-beare determined by the referee based on the record of the proceedings.

RULE 3-7.10 REINSTATEMENT AND READMISSION PROCEDURES

(a)Reinstatement; Applicability. A lawyer who is ineligible to practice due to a court-ordered disciplinary suspension of 91 days or more or who has been placed on the inactive list for incapacity not related to misconduct may be reinstated to membership in good standing in The Florida Bar and be eligible to practice again pursuant to this rule. The proceedings under this rule are not applicable to any attor-neylawyer who is not eligible to practice law due to a delinquency as defined in rule 1-3.6 of these rules.

(b) Petitions; Form and Contents.

(1) Filing. The original petition for reinstatement and 1 copy thereof shall-mast-Jae in waiting, verified by the petitioner, and addressed to and filed with the Supreme Court of Florida. A copy shallmust be served on Staff Counsel, The Florida Bar, 651 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2300.

(2) Form and Exhibits. The petition shallmust be in such form and shall be accompanied by such exhibits as provided for elsewhere in this rule. The information required concerning the petitioner may include any or all of the following matters in addition to such other matters as may be reasonably required to determine the fitness of the petitioner to resume the practice of law: criminal and civil judgments; disciplinary judgments; copies of income tax returns together with consents to secure original returns; occupation during suspension and employment information in connection-therewith; financial statements; and statement of restitution of funds that were the subject matter of disciplinary proceedings. In cases seeking reinstatement from incapacity, the petition shallmust also include copies of all pleadings in the matter leading to placement on the inactive list and all such other matters as may be reasonably required to demonstrate the character and fitness of the petitioner to resume the practice of law.

(c) Deposit for Cost. The petition shall-must be accompanied by-proof of a deposit paid to The Florida Bar in such amount as the board of governors shall prescribes to ensure payment of reasonable costs of the proceedings, as provided elsewhere in this rule.

(d) Reference of Petition For Hearing. The chief justice shallwill refer the petition for reinstatement to a referee for hearing; provided, however, that no such reference shallwill be made until evidence is submitted showing that all costs assessed against the petitioner in all disciplinary or incapacity proceedings have been paid and restitution has been made.

(e) Bar Counsel. When a petition for reinstatement is filed, the board of governors or staff counsel, if authorized by the board of governors, may appoint bar counsel to represent The Florida Bar in the proceeding. The duties of such attorneys shall belawyers are to appear at the hearings and to prepare and present to the referee evidence that, in the opinion of the referee or such attorneylawyer, should be considered in passing upon the petition.

(f) Determination of Fitness by Referee Hearing. The referee to whom the petition for reinstatement is referred shall-must conduct the hearing as-a-tr-ial — in-the same manner, to the extent practical, as provided elsewhere in these rules. The matter to decide shall beis the fitness of the petitioner to resume the practice of law. In determining the fitness of the petitioner to resume the practice of law, the referee shallwill consider whether the petitioner has engaged in any disqualifying conduct, the character and fitness of the petitioner, and whether the petitioner has been rehabilitated, as further described in this subdivision. All conduct engaged in after the date of admission to The Florida Bar shall beis relevant in proceedings under this rule.

(1)Disqualifying Conduct. A record manifesting a deficiency in the honesty, trustworthiness, diligence, or reliability of a petitioner may constitute a basis for denial of reinstatement. The following shall-beare considered as disqualifying conduct:

(A)-(O) [No Change]

(2)[No Change]

(3) Elements of Rehabilitation. Merely showing that an individual is now living as and doing those things that should be done throughout life, although necessary to prove rehabilitation, does not prove that the individual has undertaken a useful and constructive place in society. Any petitioner for reinstatement from discipline for prior misconduct shall beis required to produce clear and convincing evidence of such rehabilitation including, but not limited to, the following elements:

(A)-(F) [No Change]

(G) positive action showing rehabilitation by such things as a person’s occupation-religion, or community or civic service. Community or civic service is donated service or activity that is performed by someone or a group of people for the benefit of the public or its institutions.

The requirement of positive action is appropriate for persons seeking reinstatement to the bar as well as for applicants for admission to the bar because service to one’s community is an essential obligation of members of the bar.

(4) Educational Requirements.

(A) [No Change]

(i) The petitioner shahmust have completed at least 10 hours of continuing legal education courses for each year or portion of a year that the petitioner was ineligible to practice.

(ii) [No Change]

(B) A petitioner who has been ineligible to practice for 5 years or more shallwill not be reinstated under this rule until the petitioner has re-taken and passed the Florida portions of the Florida Bar Examination and the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE).

(g)Hearing; Notice; Evidence.

(1) Notice. The referee to whom the petition for reinstatement is referred shaliwill fix a time and place for hearing, and notice thereof shall be givenwill be provided at least 10 days prior to the hearing to the petitioner, to atlor-neys-lawyerS' representing The- Florida Bar,

and to such other persons as may be designated by the referee to whom the petition is referred.

(2) Appearance. Any persons to whom notice is given, any other interested persons, or any local bar association may appear before the referee in support of or in opposition to the petition at any time or times fixed for the hearings thereon.

(3) Failure of Petitioner to be Examined. For the failure of the petitioner to submit to examination as a witness pursuant to notice given, the referee shaliwill dismiss the petition for reinstatement unless good cause is shown for such failure.

(4) Summary Procedure. If after the completion of discovery bar counsel is unable to discover any evidence on which denial of reinstatement may be based and if no other person provides same, bar counsel may, with the approval of the designated reviewer and staff counsel, stipulate to the issue of reinstatement, including conditions thereon-for reinstatement. The stipulation-shall-must include a statement-of costs as provided elsewhere in these Rules Regulating the Florida Bar.

(5) Evidence of Treatment or Counseling for Dependency or Other Medical Reasons. If the petitioner has sought or received treatment or counseling for chemical or alcohol dependency or for other medical reasons that relate to the petitioner’s fitness to practice law, the petitioner shahmust waive confidentiality of such treatment or counseling for purposes of evaluation of the petitioner’s fitness. The provisions of rule 3-7.1(d) are applicable to information or records disclosed under this subdivision.

(h) Prompt Hearing; Report. The referee to whom a petition for reinstatement has been referred by the chief justice shaliwill proceed to a prompt hearing, at the conclusion of which the referee shali-will make and-file-with the Supreme Court of Florida a report that shalh-includes the findings of fact and a recommendation as to whether the petitioner is qualified to resume the practice of law. The referee shallmust file the report and record in the Supreme Court of Florida.

(i) Review. Review of referee reports in reinstatement proceedings shallmust be in accordance with rule 3-7.7.

(j) Recommendation of Referee and Judgment of the Court. If the petitioner is found unfit to resume the practice of law, the petition shaliwill be dismissed. If the petitioner is found fit to resume the practice of law, the referee shaliwill enter a report recommending, and the court may enter an order of, reinstatement of the petitioner in The Florida Bar; provided, however, that the reinstatement may be conditioned upon the payment of all or part of the costs of the proceeding and upon the making of partial or complete restitution to parties harmed by the petitioner’s misconduct that led to the petitioner’s suspension of membership in The Florida Bar or conduct that led to the petitioner’s incapacity; and further provided, however, if suspension or incapacity of the petitioner has continued for more than 3 years, the reinstatement may be conditioned upon the furnishing of such proof of competency as may be required by the judgment in the discretion of the Supreme Court of Florida, which proof may include certification by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners of the successful completion of an examination for admission to The Florida Bar subsequent to the date of the suspension or incapacity.

(k) Successive Petitions. No petition for reinstatement shalimay be filed within 1 year following an adverse judgment upon a petition for reinstatement filed by or on behalf of the same person. In cases of incapacity no petition for reinstatement shalimay be filed within 6 months following an adverse judgment under this rule.

(Z) Petitions for Reinstatement to Membership in Good Standing.

(1) [No Change]

(2) Style of Petition. Petitions shall-must be styled in the Supreme Court of Florida and an original and 1 copy filed therewithwith the court. A copy shall-must be served on Staff Counsel, The Florida Bar, 651 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2300.

(3) Contents of Petition. The petition shallmust be verified by the petitioner and shall beaccompanied by a written authorization to the District Director of the Internal Revenue Service, authorizing the furnishing of certified copies of the petitioner’s tax returns for the past 5 years or since admission to the bar, whichever is greater. The authorization shallmust be furnished on a separate sheet. The petition shallmust have attached as an exhibit a true copy of all disciplinary judgments previously entered against the petitioner. It shall-must also include the petitioner’s statement concerning the following:

(A)-(B) [No Change]

(C) the names and addresses of all complaining witnesses in any disciplinary proceedings that resulted in suspension; and the name and address of the referee or judge who heard such disciplinary proceedings or of the trial judge, complaining witnesses, and prosecuting attorneylawyer, if suspension was based upon conviction of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;

(D)-(H) [No Change]

(I) a statement showing dates, general nature, and ultimate disposition of every matter involving the arrest or prosecution of the petitioner during saidthe period of suspension for any crime, whether felony or misdemean- or, together with the names and addresses of complaining witnesses, prosecuting atterneyslawyers, and trial judges;

(J) a statement as to whether any applications were made during saidthe period of suspension for a license requiring proof of good character for its procurement; and, as to each such application, the date and the name and address of the authority to whom it was addressed and thefts disposition thereof;

(K) a statement of any procedure or inquiry, during said the period of suspension, covering the petitioner’s standing as a member of any profession or organization, or holder of any license or office, that involved the censure, removal, suspension, revocation of license, or discipline of the petitioner; and, as to each, the dates, facts, and the disposition thereof-and the name and address of the authority in possession of the record-thereof;

(L) a statement as to whether any charges of fraud were made or claimed against the petitioner during saidthe period of suspension, whether formal or informal, together with the dates and names and addresses of persons making such charges;

(M) [No Change]

(N) a statement showing the dates, general nature, and final disposition of every civil action whereinin which the petitioner was either a party plaintiff or defendant, together with dates of filing of complaints, titles of courts and causes, and the names and addresses of all parties and of the trial judge or judges, and names and addresses of all witnesses who testified in said action or actions; and

(O) a statement showing what amounts, if any, of the costs assessed against the accused attorneylawyer in the prior disciplinary proceedings against the petitioner have been paid by the petitioner and the source and amount of funds used for this purpose.

(4) Comments on Petition. Upon the appointment of a referee and bar counsel, copies of the petition shaflwill be furnished by the bar counsel to local board members, local grievance committees, and to such other persons as are mentioned in this rule. Persons or groups that wish to respond shallmust direct their comments to bar counsel. The proceedings and finding of the referee shall willrelate to those matters described in this rule and also to those matters tending to show the petitioner’s rehabilitation, present fitness to resume the practice of law, and the effect of such proposed reinstatement upon the administration of justice and purity of the courts and confidence of the public in the profession.

(5) Costs Deposit. The petition shafl-must be accompanied-by-a deposit for costs of $500.

(m) Costs.

(1) Taxable Costs. Taxable costs of the proceedings shallmust include only:

(A)-(I) [No Change]

(2) Discretion of Referee. The referee shall havehas discretion to award costs and absent an abuse of discretion the referee’s award shaliwill not be reversed.

(3) — (4) [No Change]

(n) Readmission; Applicability. A former member who has been disbarred, disbarred on consent, or whose petition for disciplinary resignation or revocation has been accepted may be admitted again only upon full compliance with the rules and regulations governing admission to the bar. No application for readmission following disbarment, disbarment on consent, or disciplinary resignation or revocation may be tendered until such time as all restitution and disciplinary costs as may have been ordered or assessed have been paid together with any interest accrued.

(1) Readmission After Disbarment. Except as might be otherwise provided in these rules, no application for admission may be tendered within 5 years after the date of disbarment or such longer period of time as the court might determine in the disbarment order. An order of disbarment that states the disbarment is permanent shahprecludes readmission to The Florida Bar.

(2) Readmission After Disciplinary Resignation or Revocation. In the case of a disciplinary resignation — no-readmission application may -be -filed — until—⅞ years after the date of the order of-the Supreme-Court-of Florida that accepted such- disciplinary resignation or such additional-time-as-the attorney may have stated in a petition for disciplinary resignation. — N o application-for- readmission may be filed until all costs in disciplinary cases that were dismissed because of the disciplinary resignation have been paid by the applicant for readmission. — If an attorney’sA lawyer’s petition for disciplinary resignation or revocation that states that it is without leave to apply for readmission, such condition shallwill preclude any readmission. A lawyer who was granted a disciplinary resignation or revocation may not apply for readmission until all conditions of the Supreme Court order granting the disciplinary resignation or revocation have been complied with.

Comment

To further illuminate the community service requirements of Rule 3-7.10(f)(3)(G), bar members can take guidance from the Florida Supreme Court’s decision in Florida Board of Bar Examiners re M.L.B., 766 So.2d 994, 998-999 (Fla.2000). The court held that rules requiring community service “contemplate and we wish to encourage positive actions beyond those one would normally do for self benefit, including, but certainly not limited to, working as a guardian ad litem, volunteering on a regular basis with shelters for the homeless or victims of domestic violence, or maintaining substantial involvement in other charitable, community, or educational organizations whose value system, overall mission and activities are directed to good deeds and humanitarian concerns impacting a broad base of citizens.”

Court decisions dealing with reinstate-ments and other discipline provide further guidance as to what specific actions meet the test of community service. The court approved dismissal of a petition for reinstatement where the respondent had no community service and had devoted all her time during suspension to raising her young children. Fla. Bar Tauler, 837 So.2d 413 (Fla.2003). In a more recent decision, the court did not specifically mention lack of community service in denying reinstatement, but the respondent had shown no evidence of work for others outside his family in his petition. Respondent’s community service consisted solely of taking care of his elderly parents and his small child. Fla. Bar Juan Baraque, 43 So.3d 691 (Fla.2010).

CHAPTER 4. RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

4-1. CLIENT-LAWYER RELATIONSHIP

RULE 4-1.6 CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION

(a) Consent Required to Reveal Information. A lawyer shallmust not reveal information relating to representation of a client except as stated in subdivisions (b), (c), and (d), unless the client gives informed consent.

(b) When Lawyer Must Reveal Information. A lawyer shallmust reveal such information to the extent the lawyer reasonably believes necessary:

(1) — (2) [No Change]

(c) When Lawyer May Reveal Information. A lawyer may reveal such information to the extent the lawyer reasonably believes necessary:

(1) — (4) [No Change]

(5) to comply with the Rules of Professional ConductRegulating The Florida Bar.

(d) [No Change]

(e) Limitation on Amount of Disclosure. When disclosure is mandated or permitted, the lawyer shallmust disclose no more information than is required to meet the requirements or accomplish the purposes of this rule.

Comment

The lawyer is part of a judicial system charged with upholding the law. One of the lawyer’s functions is to advise clients so that they avoid any violation of the law in the proper exercise of their rights.

This rule governs the disclosure by a lawyer of information relating to the representation of a client during the lawyer’s representation of the client. See rule 4-1.18 for the lawyer’s duties with respect to information provided to the lawyer by a prospective client, rule 4-1.9(c) for the lawyer’s duty not to reveal information relating to the lawyer’s prior representation of a former client, and rules 4-1.8(b) and 4-1.9(b) for the lawyer’s duties with respect to the use of such information to the disadvantage of clients and former clients.

A fundamental principle in the client-lawyer relationship is that, in the absence of the client’s informed consent, the lawyer must not reveal information relating to the representation. See terminology for the definition of informed consent. This contributes to the trust that is the hallmark of the client-lawyer relationship. The client is thereby encouraged to seek legal assistance and to communicate fully and frankly with the lawyer even as to embarrassing or legally damaging subject matter. The lawyer needs this information to represent the client effectively and, if necessary, to advise the client to refrain from wrongful conduct. Almost without exception, clients come to lawyers in order to determine their rights and what is, in the complex of laws and regulations, deemed to be legal