Act now to designate an inventory attorney: do it at www.floridabar.org.

Have you designated an inventory attorney, yet?

If not, it is time to do so.

To protect clients of an attorney who unexpectedly dies or otherwise becomes unable to practice, the Florida Supreme Court recently amended Bar rules--at the Bar's request--to provide that members who practice in-state must designate an inventory attorney.

The amendment to Rule 1-3.8 took effect January 1, and the best and easiest way to designate an inventory attorney is to do it online at floridabar.org.

Inventory attorneys take possession of the files of a member who dies, disappears, is disbarred or suspended, becomes delinquent, or suffers involuntary leave of absence due to military service, and no other responsible party capable of conducting the member's affairs is known. The inventory attorney has the responsibility of notifying all clients that their lawyer is no longer able to represent them. The inventory attorney also may give the file to a client for finding substitute counsel; may make referrals to substitute counsel with the agreement of the client; or may accept representation of the client, but is not required to do so.

Designated inventory attorneys will be contacted when the need arises and will be asked to serve. Because circumstances change, the...