Florida Bar News – Court Amends Rules to Allow Legal Service Providers to Organize as a Corporation

The Florida Supreme Court has amended Bar rules to permit not-for-profit legal service providers to organize as a corporation and to permit nonlawyers to serve on the boards of directors of not-for-profit legal service providers. The court, on its own motion, amended Rule 4-5.4 (Professional Independence of a Lawyer) June 2 in Case No. SC22-607, as…

Florida Bar News – New Law Gives Businesses Limited Protections from Lawsuits During Emergencies

Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that gives businesses limited protections from lawsuits, but only during a declared state of emergency. SB 542 by Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, R-Doral, is titled “Evidentiary Standards for Actions Arising During an Emergency.” Rep. Lauren Melo, R-Naples, sponsored the companion, HB 411. The legislation protects businesses…

Florida Bar News – Texas Chief Justice Hecht Says the Branch Must Stem the Public’s Growing Lack of Confidence in the Courts

Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht of the Supreme Court of Texas Surveys show public confidence in the courts has been in decline since 2012 and it is incumbent on lawyers and judges to work together for improvements in the administration of justice to reverse that disturbing trend, according to Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht of…