Rule Text (verbatim from The Florida Bar)
A lawyer may serve as a director, officer, or member of an
organization involved in reform of the law or its administration
notwithstanding that the reform may affect the interests of a client
of the lawyer. When the lawyer knows that the interests of a client
may be materially affected by a decision in which the lawyer
participates, the lawyer shall disclose that fact but need not identify
the client.
Educational reference. This page summarizes a Florida Rule of Professional Conduct for educational purposes. The rule text and Comment are mirrored from the Florida Bar's official publication and are public domain. The plain-English summary and any commentary are the opinion of Phillips, Hunt & Walker and are general information only — not legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you believe a Florida lawyer has violated this rule, you can file a complaint with The Florida Bar at floridabar.org. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What this rule means in plain English
A Florida lawyer can participate in law reform activities — bar committees, legislative drafting, amicus briefs — even when the reform would affect the interests of one of the lawyer’s clients, as long as the lawyer discloses to the affected client. The rule encourages lawyer participation in shaping the law without making every advocacy choice a conflict of interest disclosure crisis.
Florida Bar Ethics Opinions interpreting this rule
- Opinion 71-31 (1971)
<p>Members of a legal aid society can write a newspaper column examining general legal problems and urging readers to consult a lawyer about their own situation. The column is permissible legal information rather than improper solicitation — as long as it doesn't recommend a specific lawyer or firm. The rule supports public legal education without converting it to advertising.</p>
Read on floridabar.org → - Opinion 64-79 (1964)
<p>A Florida lawyer can write a newspaper column on general matters of law as long as the column doesn't advise on specific or individual problems. The line is between public legal education (permitted) and disguised consultation through media (not permitted). A column on what a power of attorney is, is fine; advice on a reader's specific situation is not.</p>
Read on floridabar.org →
Comment (verbatim from The Florida Bar)
Lawyers involved in organizations seeking law reform generally
do not have a client-lawyer relationship with the organization.
Otherwise, it might follow that a lawyer could not be involved in a
bar association law reform program that might indirectly affect a
client. See also rule 4-1.2(b). For example, a lawyer specializing in
antitrust litigation might be regarded as disqualified from
participating in drafting revisions of rules governing that subject.
In determining the nature and scope of participation in such
activities, a lawyer should be mindful of obligations to clients under
other rules, particularly rule 4-1.7. A lawyer is professionally
obligated to protect the integrity of the program by making an
appropriate disclosure within the organization when the lawyer
knows a private client might be materially affected.
Amended July 17, 1986, effective January 1, 1987 (494 So.2d 977).