Proposed board actions.

Pursuant to Standing Board Policy 1.60, the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar publishes this notice of intent to consider the following item at its March 28, 2014 meeting in Palm Coast, FL. This is governed by Rule 1-12.1, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. If approved by the board, these amendments must still be formally filed with the Supreme Court of Florida, with further notice and opportunity to be heard, before they are officially approved and become effective. Additionally, non-substantive edits to conform to the Supreme Court style guide are not noted in the summary. To receive a full copy of the text of any of this proposed amendment, email jgreen@flabar.org or call Janellen Green at (850) 561-5751. Reference any requested proposal by its title or item number and date of this publication.

RULES REGULATING THE FLORIDA BAR

Chapter 4 Rules of Professional Conduct

RULE 4-7.22 LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICES

Within subdivision (a), adds new subdivision (4) that prohibits lawyers from accepting referrals from a lawyer referral service that directly or indirectly requires the participating lawyers to refer clients to another person or entity for other services or places economic pressure on the lawyer to make such referrals and renumbers other subdivisions accordingly. Within subdivisions (a)(5) and (a)(6) [new subdivisions (a)(6) and (a)(7)], adds "at its headquarters address in Tallahassee" after "The Florida Bar". Within subdivision (a) (7) [new subdivision (a)(8)] adds that a lawyer who has notified the bar of a relationship that the lawyer is accepting referrals may not accept referrals from a service who has not responded to bar inquiries only after being notified by the bar of the service's failure to respond. Within subdivision (a)(8) (new subdivision (a)(9), changes "subject" to "approved by The Florida Bar pursuant." Within subdivision (a)(10) [new subdivision (a)(11)] adds "and other communications to consumers." Adds new subdivision (a)(13) prohibiting lawyers from accepting referrals from a lawyer referral service unless the service discloses to the consumer at the time the referral is made the location of the lawyer's bona fide office by city, town or county. Adds new subdivision (a)(14) prohibiting lawyers from accepting referrals from a lawyer referral service unless the service uses a name that is not misleading to the public and does not use any name that would lead consumers to believe the service directly provides legal...