Rule 1-3.11 Modified Re: Non-Florida "Foreign" Lawyers Appearing in Florida Arbitration
Florida Arbitration Law . com:
Florida has traditionally held the door shut on lawyers “retiring” to Florida and then opening shop. Florida has no reciprocity with other states. However, unless a lawyer has multiple cases, pro hac vice admission to courts and arbitration is freely given. Last week, the Florida Supreme Court approved Amendments to the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar, which updated Rule 1-3.11 (Appearance by Non-Florida Lawyer in Arbitration Proceeding in Florida).
The change is, admittedly, only minor and procedural. The applying lawyer must send a verified statement to the Florida Bar and opposing counsel identifying the lawyer’s bar number, prior arbitrations in Florida, and any discipline. Previously, the Bar was to receive the lawyer’s social security number but that requirement was dropped.
Given the frequency of securities arbitration alone, which often involves out of state lawyers, this is not an unexpected move by the court.