from The Florida Bar News
A rule prohibiting disbarred and suspended lawyers from appearing in administrative proceedings that otherwise allow nonlawyers to represent others has been approved by the Bar board of governors.
The board also, at its recent Key West meeting, received an update on trust accounting forms to be included in Bar rules to help lawyers.
Disciplinary Procedure Committee Chair Andy Sasso presented the board with an amendment to Rule 3-6.1 on prohibiting disbarred and suspended attorneys from appearing in administrative proceedings.
The rationale for the amendment, according to information provided to the board, is, “A disbarred lawyer has been adjudged by the Supreme Court of Florida to be unfit to represent clients as a lawyer. Where the Supreme Court of Florida has made such a determination, there is ample reason to believe that a disbarred lawyer should not be allowed to represent clients in a ‘nonlawyer’ capacity before a decisionmaking entity where the disbarred lawyer will be essentially performing the role of a lawyer, acting on behalf of members of the public, only without the title of lawyer.”
The rule now goes to the Supreme Court for its review.
On the trust accounting matter, Sasso said the panel plans for its proposed trust accounting forms to be ready for board review at its July meeting.
Those forms will be included in Chapter 5 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar to help lawyers comply with trust accounting regulations.