Recently, the Florida Bar Board of Governors submitted a petition to the Florida Supreme Court to amend several Rules Regulating the Florida Bar. The proposal includes the addition of new Rule 4-6.6: Short-Term Limited Legal Services Programs. Proposes
Proposed Rule 4-6.6 loosens the application of the rules on conflict of interest in the context of short-term, limited legal representation. The Comment to the proposed rule acknowledges that in settings such as legal-advice hotlines, advice-only clinics, or pro-se counseling programs, although a client-lawyer relationship is formed, it is not realistic for a lawyer to thoroughly screen for conflicts of interest generally required before assuming representation. Typically, these services are restricted to a single meeting between the client and lawyer where the lawyer may give limited advice to a person or help to fill out legal forms.
The Florida Bar reasons that the addition of this rule would encourage more lawyers to engage in these limited representations, thereby increasing access to justice.
The rule—if passed—would apply to lawyers who represent clients through legal advice programs sponsored by nonprofit organizations, government agencies, court, bar associations, or ABA-accredited law schools.
Please click here to read the full text of the proposed amendments.
