Local professionalism panels to meet for annual review
Each of Florida’s 20 judicial circuits has an LPP composed of local attorneys appointed to review complaints about attorneys perceived unprofessional behavior
The order requires LPP chairs or their designees to meet at least every other year to review the order and make recommendations for improvement; to review forms used by each circuit; to review procedures the circuits use to maintain uniformity; and to discuss policies and procedures to facilitate continued enhancement of the program.
As required by a 2023 Supreme Court order, Florida’s local professionalism panels will conduct an annual meeting later this week to, among other things, review procedures for uniformity.
Panel chairs will meet Friday, May 8, at 9 a.m. via Zoom. The meeting is sponsored by the Standing Committee on Professionalism (SCOP).
The Supreme Court order, In Re: Code for Resolving Professionalism Referrals, 367 So. 3d 1184 (Fla. 2023), adopted many of the recommendations of a special professionalism committee.
Among other things, the order requires LPP chairs or their designees to meet at least every other year to review the order and make recommendations for improvement; to review forms used by each circuit; to review procedures the circuits use to maintain uniformity; and to discuss policies and procedures to facilitate continued enhancement of the program.
Each of Florida’s 20 judicial circuits has an LPP composed of local attorneys appointed to review complaints about attorneys perceived unprofessional behavior.
The confidential “peer-to-peer mentoring process” often involves a panel member attempting to resolve the complaint informally by phone, or more formally by email or regular mail. Complaints that can’t be resolved informally are referred to the Bar’s Attorney Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP) for further action.
On Friday, West Palm Beach attorney Kara Rockenbach Link, who co-chaired a Standing Committee on Professionalism LPP working group, will discuss the results of the 2024 Mandatory Summit.
The chairs will also review an LPP training video and receive presentations from Florida Lawyers Assistance, Florida Lawyers Helpline, and Counsel to Counsel, the new mentoring program.
At 9:45 a.m., chairs will move into breakout groups. The regular meeting resumes at 10:30 a.m.