[RPPTL LandTen] FW: New Florida Bar Rules Will Put Your Law Practice At Risk

[Carlos Arias]

Forwarding to the group as this has been a subject of interest recently.

Carlos R. Arias
AriasBosinger
P | 407.636.2549<tel:4076362549>
F | 321.280.2489<tel:3212802489>
140 N. Westmonte Drive, Ste.  203
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

From: Ted Hollander <tedlhollander at theticketcliniclawfirm.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2019 3:59 PM
To: Carlos Arias <Carias at ablawfl.com>
Subject: New Florida Bar Rules Will Put Your Law Practice At Risk


Dear Colleague,

After practicing law in Florida for more than 20 years, I’ve just learned that the Florida Bar has proposed a new Rule that would permit tech companies, hedge funds, and other non-lawyers to sell legal services to your clients in Florida. The Florida legal profession is about to be overrun by corporate owners, much like the medical profession.

If this alarms you, take a moment to review the proposed new Rule at this link (and scroll down), "Chapter 23, Registered Online Service Provider Program."<http://url6956.theticketcliniclawfirm.com/wf/click?upn=sD9dnvC8Aj7-2Fpp6X8xVNkrynbtJvFK42KGaJAD3IEBhTizV9-2Fhkr-2FS8R6ucv9RNjHxCNgDr6aML5JlG-2FQ1h5EVeKwjrFXe7T7tGyP1ppTujdFL8RuUonQccjWxaG413ijlpd0Wl9PaD438PtJdPw8w-3D-3D_ZIjUGwTW3zps9T0Ed7YygDSIFDQbNqJ96rjfor7czfEpAG-2B72vBXt-2FIKcQufye2NPXNxXNzkQ6WcQUqovuZ9Mh4BOhMDVcd29NR-2FlQuRRWpcsufnFS-2B9v0NQDwphZu8NyRvNjfZCHwbhBX-2BkUGEjt3V5LpKxBOtmL-2FIw3J0NM77yk9kxEeRT-2BoBKvgUoPJKkZoZ2wYZ4rYA44HfmokEuY8V5TNLMdTWloQCTn5jwMadl-2BFgH6Qsqb2mMeM6Mqd-2BfF7y3mzCvo9I-2Fye2gekfJmQ-3D-3D> We’ve highlighted the important sections for your convenience here<http://url6956.theticketcliniclawfirm.com/wf/click?upn=sD9dnvC8Aj7-2Fpp6X8xVNkrynbtJvFK42KGaJAD3IEBhTizV9-2Fhkr-2FS8R6ucv9RNjHxCNgDr6aML5JlG-2FQ1h5EVeKwjrFXe7T7tGyP1ppTujdFL8RuUonQccjWxaG413ijlpd0Wl9PaD438PtJdPw8w-3D-3D_ZIjUGwTW3zps9T0Ed7YygDSIFDQbNqJ96rjfor7czfEpAG-2B72vBXt-2FIKcQufye2NeIPnGUVDE2RED-2B5XHnNYPnEtyTVbK6WpP4hikeaChUJafuTVwfn34Ddsl19JgmyMqpaHlVYLqqIKAbmhPrPSJHeQo9p7xING-2FMIRfZItZZESrTUiDjKfpCzHL15Y96Sgb16SlDbGYijP-2BboxMdJwTYPVbOzRTJBCYt-2BRZQnYAdOHOCpd5EAQH6qRzfgPzbn1kgslXCzr4ryDj3v3HLbZ9w-3D-3D>.

The new Rule claims to provide the public greater access to the legal system, but we think it will do just the opposite. For most Floridians, the biggest obstacle to hiring an attorney is cost. But the new Rule is likely to increase the cost of legal services because it permits legal fees to be shared between lawyers and non-lawyers. With “Online Service Providers” demanding to be paid, the cost to consumers will only increase.

If you oppose this drastic change, please file a comment with the Florida Supreme Court saying so. (Instructions below.) Key reasons to oppose the new Rule:

  *   Ads from "online service providers" will not be reviewed by The Florida Bar, resulting in false and misleading advertising that injures consumers and provides an unfair competitive advantage over your regulated law firm.
  *   According to the Bar, "online service providers" are less likely to "face sanctions for the unlicensed practice of law," which will harm Florida consumers and lawyers.
  *   "Online service providers" will be able to advertise that they have registered with The Florida Bar, but The Bar won’t actually handle or resolve consumer complaints.
  *   "Online service providers" will collect fees directly from clients, and your firm will be paying for referrals, even if they don’t result in new matters.

Before Monday, January 13, 2020, let the Florida Supreme Court know you oppose the new Rule. To do so:

  1.  Write a comment stating your opposition to the new Rule.
  2.  File your comment with the Clerk of the Florida Supreme Court using the statewide e-portal https://myflcourtaccess.com/<http://url6956.theticketcliniclawfirm.com/wf/click?upn=sD9dnvC8Aj7-2Fpp6X8xVNkokATtOGANpdkeeOrzyTyfdzdZ8T8k2DtKc-2F1Eo44jHA_ZIjUGwTW3zps9T0Ed7YygDSIFDQbNqJ96rjfor7czfEpAG-2B72vBXt-2FIKcQufye2NhVmlf0nsIYU8GV4VEMpL3h0g496LrirtFBGYFI8LdEEp-2BLixlVmEpqYochkoDPnxf2D1yd5PJ-2BPk3tYxnKZK5h5NLRcgHt-2FquHWOwg6maVwskpGVA-2ByyjLuZfJOQICji9em-2B46FPKcNE7gT3gQr25EoGzJ2Obv8ZDSSciUUO2QQK7DXvvP2Dm-2BoQpPdGjF6Szd8-2BDAKkzMZuDrbTutYsHg-3D-3D>. The matter is titled In re: Amendments to Rules Regulating the Florida Bar – Chapter 23 Registered Online Service Provider Program, Case No. SC19-2077. Be sure to include the Case Number (SC19-2077) with your comment.
  3.  Also serve a copy of your comment on Joshua Doyle, the Executive Director of The Florida Bar (jdoyle at floridabar.org<mailto:jdoyle at floridabar.org>).
  4.  Comments must be filed and served no later than Jan. 13, 2020.

Feel free to contact me with any questions or to discuss the new Rule (561-223-6418).

DON’T WAIT. ACT NOW!

Sincerely,
Ted L. Hollander
tedlhollander at theticketclinic.com<mailto:tedlhollander at theticketclinic.com>
561-223-6418
2219 Belvedere Rd, West Palm Beach, FL 33406

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