In re AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES REGULATING THE FLORIDA BAR, 916 So. 2d 655

PER CURIAM. The Florida Bar petitions this Court to consider its proposed amendments to the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar. We have jurisdiction. See Art. V, § 15, Fla. Const. The Bar submitted the proposed amendments to the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar for its recommendation. The Board approved the proposals, except for certain minimal revisions submitted after the proposals were published for comment in the January 1, 2005, edition of The Florida Bar News In that publication, the Bar instructed interested parties to file any comments directly with the Court.

Thereafter, the Bar filed its proposals with the Court.

The Bar proposes amendments to rules 1-3.5 (Retirement), 1-3.6 (Delinquent Members), 1-3.8 (Right to Inventory), 1-7.3 (Membership Fees), 3-2.1 (Definitions, Generally), 3-3.4 (Grievance Committees), 3-5.1 (Types of Discipline, Generally), 3-6.1 (Employment of Certain Attorneys or Former Attorneys, Generally), 3-7.1 (Confidentiality), 3-7.4 (Grievance Committee Procedures), 3-7.6 (Procedures Before a Referee), 3-7.9 (Consent Judgment), 3-7.10 (Reinstatement and Readmission Procedures), 3-7.11 (General Rules of Procedure), 4-1.5 (Fees and Costs for Legal Services), 4-3.4 (Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel), 4-5.4 (Professional Independence of a Lawyer), 4-7.7 (Evaluation of Advertisements), 4-8.1 (Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters), 4-8.4 (Misconduct), 4-8.6 (Authorized Business Entities), 6-3.5 (Standards for Certification), 6-3.7 (Emeritus Specialist Status), 6-3.8 (Revocation of Certification), 10-2.1 (Definitions, Generally), 10-6.1 (Taking of Testimony), 10-6.2 (Subpoenas), 10-7.1 (Proceedings for* Injunctive Relie©, 10-7.2 (Proceedings for Indirect Criminal Contempt), and 10-8.1 (Files).

The Bar proposes the addition of new rule 4-5.8 (Procedures for Lawyers Leaving Law Firms and Dissolution of Law Firms). Further, the Bar proposes the deletion of rule 3-7.12 (Disciplinary Resignation from the Florida Bar). After considering the relevant comments filed and holding oral argument on June 9, 2005, the Court adopts the Bar’s proposals with a slight modification to the proposal for rule 3-7.6 (Procedures Before a Referee). As modified, the amendment changes a referee’s duties but not a Bar counsel’s duties. Thus, the Bar shall continue to make the record available.

The Court wishes to express its sincerest gratitude to The Florida Bar and its members who contributed to the development of these numerous proposals. The Court also thanks the individuals who filed comments, especially those who participated in oral argument. Accordingly, the Court adopts the amendments to the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar as set forth in the appendix to this opinion. Deletions are indicated by struck-through type, and new language is indicated by underscoring. The comments are included for explanation and guidance only and are not adopted as an official part of the rules.

The amendments shall become effective on January 1, 2006, at 12:01 a.m. It is so ordered. PARIENTE, C.J., and WELLS, ANSTEAD, LEWIS, QUINCE, CANTERO, and BELL, JJ., concur. APPENDIX RULE 1-3.5 RETIREMENT Any member of The Florida Bar may retire from The Florida Bar upon petition or other written request to, and approval of, the board of governorsexecutive director.

A retired member shall not practice law in this state except upon petition for reinstatement to, and approval of, the board-of-governorsexecutive director; the payment of all membership fees, costs, or other amounts owed to The Florida Bar; and the completion of all outstanding continuing legal education or basic skills course requirements. A retired member shall be entitled to receive such other privileges as the board of governors may authorize. A retired member shall remain subject to disciplinary action for acts committed before the effective date of retirement.

Acts committed after retirement may be considered in evaluating the member’s fitness to resume the practice of law in Florida as elsewhere stated in these Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. If the executive director is in doubt as to disposition of a petition, the executive director may refer the petition to the board of governors for its action. Action of the executive director or board of governors denying a petition for retirement or reinstatement hereunder may be reviewed upon petition to the Supreme Court of Florida.

RULE 1-3.6 DELINQUENT MEMBERS Any person now or hereafter licensed to practice law in Florida whoshall be deemed a delinquent member if the member: (

a) fails to pay membership feesT; (

b) fails to comply with continuing legal education or basic skills course require-mentsr«is (

c) is- delinquent in the payment offails to pay the costs assessed in diversion or disciplinary cases within 30 days after the disciplinary decision or diversion recommendation becomes final, unless such time is extended by the board of governors for good cause shown; or (

d) fails to make restitution imposed in diversion cases or disciplinary proceedings brought under these-Rules Regulating The Florida Bar within the time specified in the order in such cases or proceedings, unless the time is extended by the board of governors for good cause shown; (

e) fails to pay fees imposed as part of diversion for more than 90 days after the diversion recommendation became final, unless such time is extended by the board of governors for good cause shown; or (

f) fails to pay an award entered in fee arbitration proceedings conducted under the authority stated elsewhere in these rules and 90 days or more have elapsed since the date on which the award became final, unless such time is extended by the board of governors for good cause shown. shall be deemed a delinquent member. While occupying-the status-of-a dDelin-quent members — no-person shall not engage in the practice of law in Florida nor be entitled to any privileges and benefits accorded to members of The Florida Bar in good standing. RULE 1-3.8 RIGHT TO INVENTORY (

a) Appointment; Grounds; Authority. Whenever an attorney is suspended, disbarred, becomes a delinquent member, abandons a practice, disappears, dies, or suffers an involuntary leave of absence due to military service, catastrophic illness, or injury, and no partner, personal representative, or other responsible party capable of conducting the attorney’s affairs is known to exist, the appropriate circuit court, upon proper proof of the fact, may appoint an attorney or attorneys to inventory the files of the subject attorney (hereinafter referred to as “the subject attorney”) and to take such action as seems indicated to protect the interests of clients of the subject attorney. (

b) Maintenance of Attorney-Client Confidences. Any attorney so appointed shall not disclose any information contained in files so inventoried without the consent of the client to whom such file relates except as necessary to carry out the order of the court that appointed the attorney to make the inventory.' (

c) Status and Purpose of Inventory Attorney. Nothing herein creates an attorney and client, fiduciary, or other relationship between the inventory attorney and the subject attorney. The purpose of appointing an inventory attorney is to avoid prejudice to clients of the subject attorney and, as a secondary, result, prevent or reduce claims against the subject attorney for such prejudice as may otherwise occur. (

d) Rules of- Procedure. The Florida Rules of Civil Procedure are applicable to proceedings under this rule. (

e) Designation of Inventory Attorney. Each member of the bar who practices law in Florida shall designate another member of The Florida Bar who has agreed to serve as inventory attorney under this rule. When the services of an inventory attorney become necessary, an authorized representative of The Florida Bar shall contact the designated member and determine the member’s current willingness to serve. The designated member shall not be under any obligation to serve as inventory attorney. RULE 1-7.3 MEMBERSHIP FEES (a)Membership Fees Requirement.

On or before July 1 of each year, every member of The Florida Bar, except those members who have retired, resigned, been disbarred, or been classified as inactive members pursuant to rule 3-7.13, shall pay annual membership fees to The Florida Bar in the amount set by the budget, provided that the board of governors shall not fix the membership fees at more than $265 per annum. At the time of the payment of membership fees every member of The Florida Bar shall file with the executive director a statement setting forth any information that may be required by the board of governors.

Membership fees tendered to The Florida Bar shall not be accepted from any member who: has not paid costs-imposed against the member in -a diversion case or disciplinary-proeeeding-within 30 days-after the disciplinary decision becomes-final unless such time is extended by the board of-go-vernors-for-good cause shown; or has not made restitution in-the manner and-by the -date provided-in-the disciplinary order or agreement. — A member who has ■ not paid — diversion—or—disciplinary—easts—or made-restitution as required by this subdivision shall be deemed a delinquent member — as defined-elsewhere in these — rules. (

b) Prorated Membership Fees. Persons admitted to The Florida Bar subsequent to July 1 of any fiscal year shall pay the annual membership fees for that fiscal year prorated on the basis of the number of full calendar months of the fiscal year remaining at the time of their admission. Failure to pay prorated membership fees shall result in the amount of such prorated membership fees being added to the next annual membership fees billing to the member without penalty. The combined prorated and annual membership fees payment must thereafter be received by The Florida Bar on or before August 15, unless the member elects to pay by installment under this rule. (

c) Installment Payment of Membership Fees. Members of The Florida Bar may elect to pay annual membership fees in 3 equal installments as follows: (1) in the second and third year of their admission to The Florida Bar; or (2) if the member is employed by a federal, state, or local government in a non-elected position that requires the individual to maintain membership in good standing within The Florida Bar. A member’s notice of election to pay membership fees in installments under this rule and the first installment payment thereunder must be postmarked no later than August 15.

The second and third installment payments must be postmarked no later than November 1 and February 1, respectively. Second and/or third installment payments postmarked after their respective due date(

s) shall be subject to a one-time late charge of $50 per fiscal year, which shall accompany the final payment unless adjusted by the executive director with concurrence of the executive committee for good cause shown. The executive director shall send written notice by registered or certified mail to the last official bar address of each member whose membership fees and late fees have not been paid under this rule by February 1.

Upon failure to pay membership fees and any late charges under this rule by March 15, unless adjusted by the executive director with concurrence of the executive committee for good cause shown, the member shall be a delinquent member. Each member who elects to pay annual membership fees in installments under this rule may be charged an additional administrative fee to defray the costs of this activity as set by the Board of Governors. (

d) Election of Inactive Membership. A member in good standing may elect by August 15 of a fiscal year to be classified as an inactive member. Such election shall be made only by indication of such choice on the annual membership fees statement and payment of the prescribed annual membership fees. Failure to make the initial election by August 15 shall constitute a waiver of the member’s right to the election until the next fiscal year.

Once a member has properly elected to be classified as an inactive member, such classification shall continue from fiscal year to fiscal year until such time as the member is reinstated as a member in good standing as elsewhere provided in these rules. The election of inactive status shall be subject to the restrictions and limitations elsewhere provided. Membership fees for inactive members shall be set by the board of governors in an amount not to exceed $175 per annum. (

e) Late Payment of Membership Fees. Payment of annual membership fees must be postmarked no later than August 15. Membership fees payments postmarked after August 15 shall be accompanied by a late charge of $50 unless adjusted by the executive director with concurrence of the executive committee for good cause shown. The executive director shall send written notice by registered or certified mail to the last official bar address of each member whose membership fees have not been paid by August 15.

Upon failure to pay membership fees and any late charges by September 30, unless adjusted by the executive director with concurrence of the executive committee for good cause shown, the member shall be a delinquent member. RULE 3-2.1 GENERALLY Wherever used in these rules the following words or terms shall have the meaning herein set forth unless the use thereof shall clearly indicate a different meaning: (

a) Bar Counsel. A member of The Florida Bar representing The Florida Bar in any proceeding under these rules. (

b) The Board or the Board of Governors. The board of governors of The Florida Bar. (

c) Complainant or Complaining Witness. Any person who has complained of the conduct of any member of The Florida Bar to any officer or agency of The Florida Bar. (

d) This Court or the Court. The Supreme Court of Florida. (

e) Court of this State. A state court authorized and established by the constitution or laws of the state of Florida. (

f) Diversion to Practice and Professionalism Enhancement Programs. The removal of a disciplinary matter from the disciplinary system and placement of the matter in a skills enhancement program in lieu of a disciplinary sanction. (

g) Executive Committee. The executive committee of the board of governors of The Florida Bar. (

h) Executive Director. The executive director of The Florida Bar. (

i) Practice and Professionalism Enhancement Programs. Programs operated either as a diversion from disciplinary action or as a part of a disciplinary sanction that are intended to provide educational opportunities to members of the bar for enhancing skills and avoiding misconduct allegations. (

j) Probable Cause. A finding by an authorized agency that there is cause to believe that a member of The Florida Bar is guilty of misconduct justifying disciplinary action. (

k) Referral to Practice and Professionalism Enhancement Programs. Placement of a lawyer in skills enhancement programs as a disciplinary sanction. (

l) Referee. A judge or retired judge appointed to conduct proceedings as provided under these rules. (

m) Respondent. A member of The Florida Bar or an attorney subject to these rules who is accused of misconduct or whose conduct is under investigation. (

n) Staff Counsel. The-dieeetor of the legal division and anA lawyer employee of The Florida Bar designated by the executive director and authorized by these Rules Regulating The Florida Bar to approve formal complaints, conditional guilty pleas for consent judgments, and diversion recommendations and to make appointment of bar counsel. (

o) Chief Branch Discipline Counsel. Chief branch discipline counsel is the counsel in charge of a branch office of The Florida Bar. Any counsel employed by The Florida Bar may serve as chief branch discipline counsel at the direction of the regularly assigned chief branch discipline counsel or staff counsel. (

p) Designated Reviewer. The designated reviewer is a member of the board of governors responsible for review and other specific duties as assigned by the board of governors with respect to a particular grievance committee or matter. If a designated reviewer recuses or is unavailable, any other board member may serve as designated reviewer in that matter. The designated reviewer will be selected, from time to time, by the board members from the circuit of such grievance committee.

In circuits having an unequal number of grievance committees and board members, review responsibility will be reassigned, from time to time, to equalize workloads. On such reassignments responsibility for all pending cases from a particular committee passes to the new designated reviewer. The chief branch discipline counsel will be given written notice of changes in the designated reviewing members for a particular committee. (

q) Final Adjudication. A decision by the authorized disciplinary authority or court issuing a sanction for professional misconduct that is not subject to judicial review except on direct appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States. RULE 3-3.4 GRIEVANCE COMMITTEES There shall be such grievance committees as are herein provided, each of which shall have the authority and jurisdiction required to perform the functions hereinafter assigned to it and which shall be constituted and appointed as follows: (

a) Circuit Grievance Committees. There shall be at least 1 grievance committee for each judicial circuit of this state and as many more as shall be found desirable by the board. Such committees shall be designated as judicial circuit grievance committees, and in circuits having more than 1 committee they shall be identified by alphabetical designation in the order of creation. Such committees shall be continuing bodies notwithstanding changes in membership, and they shall have jurisdiction and the power to proceed in all matters properly before them. (

b) Special Grievance Committees. The board may from time to time appoint grievance committees for the purpose of such investigations as may be assigned in accordance with these rules. Such committees shall continue only until the completion of tasks assigned, and they shall have jurisdiction and power to proceed in all matters so assigned to them. All provisions concerning grievance committees shall be applicable to special grievance committees except those concerning terms of office and other restrictions thereon as may be imposed by the board.

Any vacancies occurring in such a committee shall be filled by the board, and such changes in members shall not affect the jurisdiction and power of the committee to proceed in all matters properly before it. (

c) Membership, Appointment, and Eligibility. Each grievance committee shall be appointed by the board and shall consist of not fewer than 3 members. At least one-third of the committee members shall be nonlawyers. All appointees shall be of legal age and, except for special grievance committees, shall be residents of the circuit or have their principal office in the circuit. The lawyer members of the committee shall have been members of The Florida Bar for at least 5 years.

No member of a grievance committee shall perform any grievance committee function when that member: (1) is related by blood or marriage to the complainant or respondent; (2) has a financial, business, property, or personal interest in the matter under consideration or with the complainant or respondent; (3) has a personal interest that could be affected by the outcome of the proceedings or that could affect the outcome; or (4) is prejudiced or biased toward either the complainant or the respondent. Upon notice of the above prohibitions the affected members should recuse themselves from further proceedings.

The grievance committee chair shall have the power to disqualify any member from any proceeding in which any of the above prohibitions exist and are stated of record or in writing in the file by the chair. (d)Terms. The terms of the members shall be for 1 year from the date of administration of the oath of service on the grievance committee or until such time as their successors are appointed and qualified. Continuous service of a member shall not exceed 3 years.

A member shall not be reappointed for a period of 3 years after the end of the member’s term; provided, however, the expiration of the term of any member shall not disqualify such member from concluding any investigation or participating in disposition of cases thenthat were pending before the committee when the member’s term expired. A member who continues to serve on the grievance committee under the authority of this subdivision shall not be counted as a member of the committee when calculating the minimum number of public members required by this rule. (

e) Officers. There shall be a chair and vice-chair designated by the designated reviewer of that committee. The chair and vice-chair shall be members of The Florida Bar. (

f) Oath. Each new member of a committee shall subscribe to an oath to fulfill the duties of the office. Such oaths shall be filed with the executive director and placed with the official records of The Florida Bar. (

g) Removal. Any member may be removed from office by the designated reviewer of that committee or the board. (

h) Grievance Committee Meetings. Grievance committees should meet at regularly scheduled times, not less frequently than quarterly each year, and either the chair or vice-chair may call special meetings. Grievance committees should meet at least monthly during any period when the committee has 1 or more pending cases assigned for investigation and report. The time, date, and place of regular monthly meetings should be set in advance by agreement between the committee and chief branch discipline counsel. RULE 3-5.1 GENERALLY A judgment entered, finding a member of The Florida Bar guilty of misconduct, shall include one or more of the following disciplinary measures: (

a) Admonishments. A Supreme Court of Florida order finding minor misconduct and adjudging an admonishment may direct the respondent to appear before the Supreme Court of Florida, the board of governors, grievance committee, or the referee for administration of the admonishment. A grievance committee report and finding of minor misconduct or the board of governors, upon review of such report, may direct the respondent to appear before the board of governors or the grievance committee for administration of the admonishment. A memorandum of administration of an admonishment shall thereafter be made a part of the record of the proceeding. (

b) Minor Misconduct. Minor misconduct is the only type of misconduct for which an admonishment is an appropriate disciplinary sanction.

(1) Criteria. In the absence of unusual circumstances misconduct shall not be regarded as minor if any of the following conditions exist: (

A) the misconduct involves misappropriation of a client’s funds or property; (

B) the misconduct resulted in or is likely, to result in actual prejudice (loss of money, legal rights, or valuable property rights) to a client or other person; (

C) the respondent has been publicly disciplined in the past 3 years; (

D) the misconduct involved is of the same nature as misconduct for which the respondent has been disciplined in the past 5 years; (

E) the misconduct includes dishonesty, misrepresentation, deceit, or fraud on the part of the respondent; or (

F) the misconduct constitutes the commission of a felony under applicable law.

(2) Discretion of Grievance Committee. Despite the presence of 1 or more of the criteria described in subdivision (1) above, a grievance committee may recommend an admonishment for minor misconduct or diversion to a practice and professionalism enhancement program when unusual circumstances are present.

When the grievance committee recommends an admonishment for minor misconduct or diversion to a practice and professionalism enhancement program under such circumstances, its report shall contain a detailed explanation of the circumstances giving rise to the committee’s recommendation. (3)Recommendation of Minor Misconduct.

If a grievance committee finds the respondent guilty of minor misconduct or if the respondent shall admit guilt of minor misconduct and the committee concurs, the grievance committee shall file its report recommending an admonishment, recommending the manner of administration, and for the taxing of costs against the respondent. The report recommending an admonishment shall be forwarded to staff counsel and the designated reviewer for review.

If staff counsel does not return the report to the grievance committee to remedy a defect therein, or if the report is not referred to the disciplinary review committee by the designated reviewer (as provided in rule 3-7.5(b)), the report shall then be served on the respondent by bar counsel. The report and finding of minor misconduct shall become final unless rejected by the respondent within 15 days after service of the report.

If rejected by the respondent, the report shall be referred to bar counsel and referee for trial on complaint of minor misconduct to be prepared by bar counsel as in the case of a finding of probable cause. If the report of minor misconduct is not rejected by the respondent, notice of the finding of minor misconduct shall be given, in writing, to the complainant.

(4) Rejection of Minor Misconduct Reports. The rejection by the board of governors of a grievance committee report of minor misconduct, without dismissal of the case, or remand to the grievance committee, shall be deemed a finding of probable cause. The rejection of such report by a respondent shall be deemed a finding of probable cause for minor misconduct. Upon trial before a referee following rejection by a respondent of a report of minor misconduct, the referee may recommend any discipline authorized under these rules.

(5) Admission of Minor Misconduct. Within 15 days after a finding of probable cause by a grievance committee, a respondent may tender a written admission of minor misconduct to bar counsel or the grievance committee. An admission of minor misconduct may be conditioned upon acceptance by the grievance committee, but the respondent may not condition the admission of minor misconduct upon the method of administration of the admonishment or upon nonpayment of costs incurred in the proceedings.

Such an admission may be tendered after a finding of probable cause (but before the filing of a complaint) only if such an admission has not been previously tendered. If the admission is tendered after a finding of probable cause, the grievance committee may consider such admission without further evi-dentiary hearing and may either reject the admission, thereby affirming its pri- or action, or accept the admission and issue its report of minor misconduct.

If a respondent’s admission is accepted by the grievance committee, the respondent may not thereafter reject a report of the committee recommending an admonishment for minor misconduct. If the admission of minor misconduct is rejected, such admission shall not be considered or used against the respondent in subsequent proceedings. (c)Probation. The respondent may be placed on probation for a stated period of time of not less than 6 months nor more than 3 years or for an indefinite period determined by conditions stated in the order.

The judgment shall state the conditions of the probation, which may include but are not limited to the following: (1) completion of a practice and professionalism enhancement program as provided elsewhere in these rules; (2) supervision of all or part of the respondent’s work by a member of The Florida Bar; (3) the making of reports to a designated agency; (4) the satisfactory completion of a course of study or a paper on legal ethics approved by the Supreme Court of Florida; (5) such supervision over fees and trust accounts as the court may direct; or (6) restrictions on the ability to advertise legal services, either in type of advertisement or a general prohibition for a stated period of time, in cases in which rules regulating advertising have been violated or the legal representation in which the misconduct occurred was obtained by advertising.

The respondent will alse-reimburse the bar for the costs of supervision.

Upon Ffailure of a respondent to obse-rvecomply with the conditions of the probation or a finding of probable cause as to conduct of the respondent committed during the period of probation shall terminate-the^proba-tiem — In such event, even though — such finding of — probable cause shall be - made-after the expiration of the period of probation, the judgment shall be ■ reconsidered and -an-appropriate judgment shall be, entered. — On termination of-probation — for failure to observe-the-conditions-of-probation or on a finding of-probable cause for misconduct committed during the period of probation, the attorneyrespondent may be punished for contempt or suspended from the- practice-of — law— on petition by The Florida Bar, and any such-suspension-shall-continue until-the-respondent may be reinstated to the practice-of-law-as-provided: elsewhere in these rulesas provided elsewhere in these Rules Regulating The Florida Bar.

An order of the court imposing sanctions for contempt under this rule may also terminate the probation previously imposed. (

d) Public Reprimand. A public reprimand shall be administered in the manner prescribed in the judgment but all such reprimands shall be reported in the Southern Reporter. Due notice shall be given to the respondent of any proceeding set to administer the reprimand. The respondent shall appear personally before the Supreme Court of Florida, the board of governors, any judge designated to administer the reprimand, or the referee, if required, and such appearance shall be made a part of the record of the proceeding. (

e) Suspension. The respondent may be suspended from the practice of law for a definite period of time or an indefinite period thereafter to be determined by the conditions imposed by the judgment. During such suspension the respondent shall continue to be a member of The Florida Bar but without the privilege of practicing, and, upon the expiration of the suspension period and the satisfaction of all conditions accompanying the suspension, the respondent shall become eligible to all of the privileges of members in The Florida Bar.

A suspension of 90 days or less shall not require proof of rehabilitation or passage of the Florida bar examination. A suspension of more than 90 days shall require proof of rehabilitation and may require passage of all or part of the Florida bar examination. No suspension shall be ordered for a specific period of time in excess of 3 years. (

f) Disbarment. A judgment of disbarment terminates the respondent’s status as a member of the bar. Permanent disbarment shall preclude readmission. A former member who has not been permanently disbarred may only be admitted again upon full compliance with the rules and regulations governing admission to the bar.

Except as might be otherwise provided in these rules, no application for readmission may be tendered within 5 years after the date of disbarment or such longer period as the court might determine in the disbarment order and thereafter until all court-ordered restitution and outstanding disciplinary costs have been paid. Disbarment is the presumed sanction for lawyers found guilty of theft from a lawyer’s trust account or special trust funds received or disbursed by a lawyer as guardian, personal representative, receiver, or in a similar capacity such as trustee under a specific trust document.

A respondent found guilty of such theft shall have the opportunity to offer competent, substantial evidence to rebut the presumption that disbarment is appropriate. (

g) Notice to Clients.

Upon service on the respondent of an order of disbarment, disbarment on consent, suspension, disciplinary resignation, emergency suspension, emergency probation, or placement on the inactive list for incapacity not related to misconduct, the respondent shall, unless this requirement is waived or modified in the court’s order, forthwith furnish a copy of the order to: (1) all of the respondent’s clients with matters pending in the respondent’s practice,] (2) all opposing counsel or co-counsel in the matters listed in (1), above; and (3) all courts, tribunals, or adjudicative agencies before which the respondent is counsel of record.

Within 30 days after service of the order the respondent shall furnish bar counsel with a sworn affidavit listing the names and addresses of all persons and entities that have been furnished copies of the order. (

h) Forfeiture of Fees. An order of the Supreme Court of Florida or a report of minor misconduct adjudicating a respondent guilty of entering into, charging, or collecting a fee prohibited by the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar may order the respondent to forfeit the fee or any part thereof. In the case of a clearly excessive fee, the excessive amount of the fee may be ordered returned to the client, and a fee otherwise prohibited by the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar may be ordered forfeited to The Florida Bar Clients’ Security Fund and disbursed in accordance with its rules and regulations. (

i) Restitution. In addition to any of the foregoing disciplinary sanctions and any disciplinary sanctions authorized elsewhere in these rules, the respondent may be ordered or agree to pay restitution to a complainant or other person if the disciplinary order finds that the respondent has received a clearly excessive, illegal, or prohibited fee or that the respondent has converted trust funds or property.

In such instances the amount of restitution shall be specifically set forth in the disciplinary order or agreement and shall not exceed the amount by which a fee is clearly excessive, in the case of a prohibited or illegal fee shall not exceed the amount of such fee, or in the case of conversion shall not exceed the amount of the conversion established in disciplinary proceedings. The disciplinary order or agreement shall also state to whom restitution shall be made and the date by which it shall be completed.

Failure to comply with the order or agreement shall not preclude further proceedings under these rules. (

j) Disciplinary Resignation — Disbarment on Consent. A respondent may be allowed-to-reslgnsurrender membership in The Florida Bar in lieu of defending against allegations of disciplinary violations by agreeing to disbarment on consent. Disbarment on consent shall have the same effect as and shall be governed by the same rules as provided for disbarment elsewhere in these Rules Regulating The Florida Bar.

If accepted by the 'Supreme-Court of Floridara-discipIinary resignation terminates the respondenfe-sta-tus-as-a-member of-the-baft — A former member whose-disciplinary resignation-has been-accepted may only be admltted-again-■upon — full compliance with-the-r-ules-and regulations ■ governing admission to ■ ■ the baft — Disciplinary resignation is the functional-equivalent of disbarment in that both-sanctions terminate the-lieense-and privilege to practice law and both require readmission to practice under the Rules of the- Supreme-Gount Relating to-Admissions to the Bar.

Except as otherwise provided in these rules — no-application for admission may-be-tendered within- -g-years-after-the date-of-the order of the Supreme-Cou-r-t-of Florida that accepted the disciplinary resignation or -such-additional time as the respondent -may-have^stated in the petition for disciplinary — resignation-—A petition that states-thaf-disciplinary resignation is without leave to apply for ■readmission shall-preclude readmission-to-the-baft Matters involving disbarment on consent shall be processed in the same manner as conditional guilty pleas for consent judgments as provided elsewhere in these Rules Regulating The Florida Bar.

RULE 3-6.1 GENERALLY An authorized business entity (as defined elsewhere in these rules) may employ individuals subject to this rule to perform such services only as may ethically be performed by other lay persons employed by authorized business entities;. (

a) Individuals Subject to This Rule. Individuals subject to this rule are suspended attorneys and former attorneys who have been disbarred, disbarred on consent, or whose disciplinary resignations have been allowed. (

b) Definition of Employment. An individual subject to this rule shall be considered as an employee of an authorized business entity if the individual is a salaried or hourly employee or volunteer worker for an authorized business entity, or an independent contractor providing services to an authorized business entity. (

c) Employment by Former Subordinates. An individual subject to this rule may not, for a period of 3 years from the entry of the order pursuant to which the suspension, disciplinary resignation, or disbarment became effective, or until the individual is reinstated to the practice of law, whichever occurs sooner, be employed by or work under the supervision of another attorney who was supervised by the individual at the time of or subsequent to the acts giving rise to the order. (

d) Notice of Employment. Before employment commences the employer shall provide The Florida Bar with a notice of employment and a detailed description of the intended services to be provided by the employee. (

e) Client Contact. No employee shall have direct contact with any client. Direct client contact does not include the participation of the employee as an observer in any meeting, hearing, or interaction between a supervising attorney and a client. (

f) Reports by Employee and Employer. The employee and employer shall submit sworn information reports, quarterly based on a calendar year, to The Florida Bar. Such reports shall include statements that no aspect of the employee’s work has involved the unlicensed practice of - law, that the employee has had no direct client contact, and that the employee did not receive, disburse, or otherwise handle trust funds or property. RULE 3-7.1 CONFIDENTIALITY (

a) Scope of Confidentiality. All matters including files, preliminary investigation reports, interoffice memoranda, records of investigations, and the records in trials and other proceedings under these rules, except those disciplinary matters conducted in circuit courts, are property of The Florida Bar. All of those matters shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed except as provided herein. When disclosure is permitted under these rules, it shall be limited to information concerning the status of the proceedings and any information that is part of the public record as defined in these rules.

Unless otherwise ordered by this court or the referee in proceedings under these rules, nothing in- these rules shall prohibit the complainant, respondent, or any witness from disclosing the existence of proceedings under these rules, or from disclosing any documents or correspondence served on or provided to those persons.

(1) Pending Investigations. Disciplinary matters pending at the initial investigatory and grievance committee levels shall be treated as confidential by The Florida Bar, except as provided in rules 3-7.1(

e) and (k).

(2) Minor Misconduct Cases. Any case in which a finding of minor misconduct has been entered by action of the grievance committee or board shall be public information.

(3) Probable Cause Cases. Any disciplinary case in which a finding of probable cause for further disciplinary proceedings has been entered shall be public information. For purposes . of this subdivision a finding of probable cause shall be deemed to have been made in those cases authorized by rule 3-3.2(a), for the filing of a formal complaint without the prior necessity of a finding of probable cause.

(4) No Probable Cause Cases. Any disciplinary case that has been concluded by a finding of no probable cause for further disciplinary proceedings shall be public information.

(5) Diversion or Referral to Grievance Mediation Program. Any disciplinary case that has been concluded by diversion to a practice and professionalism enhancement program or by referral to the grievance mediation program shall be public information upon the entry of such a recommendation.

(6) Contempt Cases. Contempt proceedings authorized elsewhere in these rules shall be public information even though the underlying disciplinary matter is confidential as defined in these rules.

(7) Incapacity Not Involving Misconduct. Proceedings for placement on the inactive list for incapacity not involving misconduct shall be public information upon the filing of the petition with the Supreme Court of Florida.

(8) Petition for Emergency Suspension or Probation. Proceedings seeking a petition for emergency suspension or probation shall be public information.

(9) Proceedings on Determination or Adjudication of Guilt of Criminal Misconduct. Proceedings on determination or adjudication of guilt of criminal misconduct, as provided elsewhere in these rules, shall be public information.

(10) Professional Misconduct in Foreign Jurisdiction. Proceedings based on disciplinary sanctions entered by a foreign court or other authorized disciplinary agency, as provided elsewhere in these rules, shall be public information.

(11) Reinstatement Proceedings. Reinstatement proceedings, as provided elsewhere in these rules, shall be public information.

(12) Disciplinary Resignations. Proceedings involving petitions for disciplinary resignation, as provided elsewhere in these rules, shall be public information. (

b) Public Record. The public record shall consist of the record before a grievance committee, the record before a referee, the record before the Supreme Court of Florida, and any reports, correspondence, papers, recordings, and/or transcripts of hearings furnished to, served on, or received from the respondent or the complainant. (

c) Circuit Court Proceedings. Proceedings under rule 3-3.5 shall be public information. (

d) Limitations on Disclosure. Any material provided to The Florida Bar that is confidential under applicable law shall remain confidential and shall not be disclosed except as authorized by the applicable law. If this type of material is made a part of the public record, that portion of the public record may be sealed by the grievance committee chair, the referee, or the Supreme Court of Florida. (

e) Response to Inquiry. Authorized representatives of The Florida Bar shall respond to specific inquiries concerning matters that are in the public domain, but otherwise confidential under the rules, by acknowledging the status of the proceedings. (

f) Notice to Law Firms. When a disciplinary file is opened the respondent shall disclose to the respondent’s current law firm and, if different, the respondent’s law firm at the time of the act or acts giving rise to the complaint, the fact that a disciplinary file has been opened. Disclosure shall be in writing and in the following form: A complaint of unethical conduct against me has been filed with The Florida Bar. The nature of the allegations are _This notice is provided pursuant to rule 3-7.1(gf) of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar.

The notice shall be provided within 15 days of notice that a disciplinary file has been opened and a copy of the above notice shall be served on The Florida Bar. (

g) Production of Disciplinary Records Pursuant to Subpoena. The Florida Bar, pursuant to a valid subpoena issued by a regulatory agency, may provide any documents that are a portion of the public record, even if the disciplinary proceeding is confidential under these rules. The Florida Bar may charge a reasonable fee for identification of and photocopying the documents. (

h) Notice to Judges. Any judge of a court of record upon inquiry of the judge shall be advised and, absent an inquiry, may be advised as to the status of a confidential disciplinary case and may be provided with a copy of documents in the file that would be part of the public record if the case was not confidential. The judge shall maintain the confidentiality of the records and shall not otherwise disclose the status of the case. (

i) Evidence of Crime. The confidential nature of these proceedings shall not preclude the giving of any information or testimony to authorities authorized to investigate alleged criminal activity. (

j) Chemical Dependency and Psychological Treatment. That an attorney has voluntarily sought, received, or accepted treatment for chemical dependency or psychological problems shall be confidential and shall not be admitted as evidence in disciplinary proceedings under these rules unless agreed to by the attorney who sought the treatment.

For purposes of this subdivision, an attorney shall be deemed to have voluntarily sought, received, or accepted treatment for chemical dependency or psychological problems if the attorney was not under compulsion of law or rule to do so, or if the treatment is not a part of conditional admission to The Florida Bar or of a disciplinary sanction imposed under these rules.

It is the purpose of this subdivision to encourage attorneys to voluntarily seek advice, counsel, and treatment available to attorneys, without fear that the fact it is sought or rendered will or might cause embarrassment in any future disciplinary matter. (

k) Response to False or Misleading Statements. If public statements that are false or misleading are made about any otherwise confidential disciplinary case, The Florida Bar may disclose all information necessary to correct such false or misleading statements. (

l) Disclosure by Waiver of Respondent. Upon written waiver executed by a respondent, The Florida Bar may disclose the status of otherwise confidential disciplinary proceedings and provide copies of the public record to: (1) the Florida Board of Bar Examiners or the comparable body in other jurisdictions for the purpose of evaluating the character and fitness of an applicant for admission to practice law in that jurisdiction; or

(2) Florida judicial nominating commissions or the comparable body in other jurisdictions for the purpose of evaluating the character and fitness of a candidate for judicial office; or (3) the governor of the State of Florida for the purpose of evaluating the character and fitness of a nominee to judicial office. RULE 3-7.4 GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE PROCEDURES (

a) Notice of Hearing. When notice of a grievance committee hearing is sent to the respondent, such notice shall be accompanied by a list of the grievance committee members. (

b) Complaint Filed With Grievance Committee. A complaint received by a committee direct from a complainant shall be reported to the appropriate bar counsel for docketing and assignment of a case number, unless the committee resolves the complaint within 10 days after receipt of the complaint. A written report to bar counsel shall include the following information: complainant’s name and address, respondent’s name, date complaint received by committee, copy of complaint letter or

summary of the oral complaint made, and the name of the committee member assigned to the investigation. Formal investigation by a grievance committee may proceed after the matter has been referred to bar counsel for docketing. (

c) Investigation. A grievance committee is required to consider all charges of misconduct forwarded to the committee by bar counsel whether based upon a written complaint or not. (

d) Conduct of Proceedings. The proceedings of grievance committees may be informal in nature and the committees shall not be bound by the rules of evidence. (

e) No Delay for Civil or Criminal Proceedings. An investigation shall not be deferred or suspended without the approval of the board even though the respondent is made a party to civil litigation or is a defendant or is acquitted in a criminal action, notwithstanding that either of such proceedings involves the subject matter of the investigation. (

f) Counsel and Investigators. Upon request of a grievance committee, staff counsel may appoint a bar counsel or an investigator to assist the committee in an investigation. Bar counsel shall assist each grievance committee in carrying out its investigative and administrative duties and shall prepare status reports for the committee, notify complainants and respondents of committee actions as appropriate, and prepare all reports reflecting committee findings of probable cause, no probable cause, recommended discipline for minor misconduct, and letters of advice after no probable cause findings. (

g) Quorum, Panels, and Vote.

(1) Quorum. Three members of the committee, 2 of whom must be lawyers, shall constitute a quorum.

(2) Panels. The grievance committee may be divided into panels of not fewer than 3 members, 2 of whom must be lawyers. Division of the grievance committee into panels shall only be upon concurrence of the designated reviewer and the chair of the grievance committee. The 3-member panel shall elect 1 of its lawyer members to preside over the panel’s actions. If the chair or vice-chair is a member of a 3-member panel, the chair or vice-chair shall be the presiding officer.

(3) Vote. All findings of probable cause and recommendations of guilt of minor misconduct shall be made by affirmative vote of a majority of the committee members present, which majority must number at least 2 members. There shall be no required minimum number of lawyer members voting in order to satisfy the requirements of this rule. The number of committee members voting for or against the committee report shall be recorded. Minority reports may be filed. A lawyer grievance committee member may not vote on the disposition of any matter in which that member served as the investigating member of the committee. (

h) Rights and Responsibilities of the Respondent. The respondent may be required to testify and to produce evidence as any other witness unless the respondent claims a privilege or right properly available to the respondent under applicable federal or state law. The respondent may be accompanied by counsel. At a reasonable time before any finding of probable cause or minor misconduct is made, the respondent shall be advised of the conduct that is being investigated and the rules that may have been violated.

The respondent shall be provided with all materials considered by the committee and shall be given an opportunity to make a written statement, sworn or unsworn, explaining, refuting, or admitting the alleged misconduct. (

i) Rights of the Complaining Witness. The complaining witness is not a party to the disciplinary proceeding. Unless it is found to be impractical by the chair of the grievance committee due to unreasonable delay or other good cause, the complainant shall be granted the right to be present at any grievance committee hearing when the respondent is present before the committee. Neither unwillingness nor neglect of the complaining witness to cooperate, nor settlement, compromise, or restitution, will excuse the completion of an investigation. The complaining witness shall have no right to appeal. (

j) Finding of No Probable Cause.

(1) Authority of Grievance Committee. A grievance committee may terminate an investigation by finding that no probable cause exists to believe that the respondent has violated these rules. The committee may issue a letter of advice to the respondent in connection with the finding of no probable cause.

(2) Notice of Committee Action. Bar counsel shall notify the respondent and complainant of the action of the committee.

(3) Effect of No Probable Cause Finding. A finding of no probable cause by a grievance committee shall not preclude the reopening of the case and further proceedings therein.

(4) Disposition of Committee Files. Upon the termination of the grievance committee’s investigation, the committee’s file shall be forwarded to bar counsel for disposition in accord with established bar policy. (

k) Letter Reports in No Probable Cause Cases. Upon a finding of no probable cause, bar counsel will submit a letter report of the no probable cause finding to the complainant, presiding member, investigating member, and the respondent, including any documentation deemed appropriate by bar counsel and explaining why the complaint did not warrant further proceedings. Letters of advice issued by a grievance committee in connection with findings of no probable cause shall be signed by the presiding member of the committee.

Letter reports and letters of advice shall not constitute a disciplinary sanction. (1)Preparation, Forwarding, and Review of Grievance Committee Complaints. If a grievance committee finds probable cause, the bar counsel assigned to the committee shall promptly prepare a record of its investigation and a formal complaint.

The record before the committee shall consist of all reports, correspondence, papers, and/or recordings furnished to or received from the respondent, and the transcript of grievance committee meetings or hearings, if the proceedings were attended by a court reporter; provided, however, that the committee may retire into private session to debate the issues involved and to reach a decision as to the action to be taken. The formal complaint shall be signedapproved by the member of the committee who presided in the proceeding. The formal complaint shall be in such form as shall be prescribed by the board.

If the presiding member of the grievance committee disagrees with the form of the complaint, the presiding member may direct bar counsel to make changes accordingly. If bar counsel does not agree with the changes, the matter shall be referred to the designated reviewer of the committee for appropriate action.

When a formal complaint by a grievance committee is not referred to the designated reviewer, or returned to the grievance committee for further action, the formal complaint shall be promptly forwarded to and reviewed by staff counsel who shall file the formal complaint, and furnish a copy of the formal complaint to the respondent. A copy of the record shall be made available to the respondent at the respondent’s expense. (

m) Recommendation of Admonishment for Minor Misconduct. If the committee recommends an admonishment for minor misconduct, the grievance committee report shall be drafted by bar counsel and signed by the presiding member. The committee report need only include: (1) the committee’s recommendations regarding the admonishment, revocation of certification, and conditions of recertification; (2) the committee’s recommendation as to the method of administration of the admonishment; (3) a

summary of any additional charges that will be dismissed if the admonishment is approved; (4) any comment on mitigating, aggravating, or evidentiary matters that the committee believes will be helpful to the board in passing upon the admonishment recommendation; and (5) an admission of minor misconduct signed by the respondent, if the respondent has admitted guilt to minor misconduct. No record need be submitted with such a report. After the presiding member signs the grievance committee report, the report shall be returned to bar counsel.

The report recommending an admonishment shall be forwarded to staff counsel and the designated reviewer for review. If staff counsel does not return the report to the grievance committee to remedy a defect therein, or if the designated reviewer does not present the same to the disciplinary review committee for action by the board, the report shall then be served on the respondent by bar counsel. (

n) Rejection of Admonishment. The order of admonishment shall become final unless rejected by the respondent within 15 days after service upon the respondent. If rejected by the respondent, the report shall be referred to bar counsel and referee for trial on complaint of minor misconduct to be prepared by bar counsel as in the case of a finding of probable cause. (

o) Recommendation of Diversion to Remedial Programs. A grievance committee may recommend, as an alternative to issuing a finding of minor misconduct or no probable cause with a letter of advice, diversion of the disciplinary case to a practice and professionalism enhancement program as provided elsewhere in these rules. A respondent may reject the diversion recommendation in the same manner as provided in the rules applicable to rejection of findings of minor misconduct. In the event that a respondent rejects a recommendation of diversion, the matter shall be returned to the committee for further proceedings. (

p) Preparation, Review, and Filing of Complaint. When a grievance committee formal complaint is not referred to the disciplinary review committee, or returned to the grievance committee, staff counsel shall sign the complaint and file the same in the Supreme Court of Florida, serve a copy on the respondent, and request the Supreme Court of Florida to assign a referee to try the cause. If probable cause is found by the board, bar counsel will prepare the formal complaint. RULE 3-7.6. PROCEDURES BEFORE A REFEREE (

a) Referees. The chief justice shall have the power to appoint referees to try disciplinary cases and to delegate to a chief judge of a judicial circuit the power to appoint referees for duty in the chief judge’s circuit. Such appointees shall ordinarily be active county or circuit judges, but the chief justice may appoint retired judges. (

b) Trial by Referee. When a finding has been made by a grievance committee or by the board that there is cause to believe that a member of The Florida Bar is guilty of misconduct justifying disciplinary action, and the formal complaint based on such finding of probable cause has been assigned by the chief justice for trial before a referee, the proceeding thereafter shall be an adversary proceeding that shall be conducted as hereinafter set forth. (

c) Pretrial Conference. Within 60 days of the order assigning the case to the referee, the referee shall conduct a pretrial conference. The purpose of the conference is to set a

schedule for the proceedings, including discovery deadlines and a final hearing date. The referee shall enter a written order in the proceedings reflecting the

schedule determined at the conference. (

d) Venue. The trial shall be held in the county in which an alleged offense occurred or in the county where the respondent resides or practices law or last practiced law in Florida, whichever shall be designated by the Supreme Court of Florida; provided, however, that if the respondent is not a resident of Florida and if the alleged offense is not committed in Florida, the trial shall be held in a county designated by the chief justice. (

e) Style of Proceedings. All proceedings instituted by The Florida Bar shall be styled “The Florida Bar, Complainant, v. (name of respondent), Respondent,” and “In The Supreme Court of Florida (Before a Referee).” (

f) Nature of Proceedings. (1)Administrative in Charactex-. A disciplinary proceeding is neither civil nor criminal but is a quasi-judicial administrative proceeding. The Florida Rules of Civil Procedure apply except as otherwise provided in this rule. (2)Discovery. Discovery shall be available to the parties in accordance with the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.. (

g) Bar Counsel. Bar counsel shall make such investigation as is necessary and shall prepare and prosecute with utmost diligence any case assigned. (

h) Pleadings. Pleadings may be informal and shall comply with the following requirements:

(1) Complaint; Consolidation and Severance. (

A) Filing. The complaint shall be filed in the Supreme Court of Florida. (

B) Content. The complaint shall set forth the particular act or acts of conduct for which the attorney is sought to be disciplined. (

C) Joinder of Charges and Respondents; Severance. A complaint may embrace any number of charges against 1 or more respondents, and charges may be against any 1 or any number of respondents; but a severance may be granted by the referee when the ends of justice require it.

(2) Answer and Motion. The respondent shall answer the complaint and, as a part thereof or by separate motion, may challenge only the sufficiency of the complaint and the jurisdiction of the forum. All other defenses shall be incorporated in the respondent’s answer. The answer may invoke any proper privilege, immunity, or disability available to the respondent. All pleadings of the respondent must be filed within 20 days of service of a copy of the complaint.

(3) Reply. If the respondent’s answer shall contain any new matter or affirmative defense, a reply thereto may be filed within 10 days of the date of service of a copy upon bar counsel, but failure to file such a reply shall not prejudice The Florida Bar. All affirmative allegations in the respondent’s answer shall be considered as denied by The Florida Bar.

(4) Disposition of Motions. Hearings upon motions may be deferred until the final hearing, and, whenever heard, rulings thereon may be reserved until termination of the final hearing.

(5) Filing and Service of Pleadings. (

A) Prior to Appointment of Referee. Any pleadings filed in a ease prior to appointment of a referee shall be filed with the Supreme Court of Florida and shall bear a certificate of service showing parties upon whom service of copies has been made. On appointment of referee, the Supreme Court of Florida shall notify the parties of such appointment and forward all pleadings filed with the court to the referee for action. (

B) After Appointment of Referee. All pleadings, motions, notices, and orders filed after appointment of a referee shall be filed with the referee and shall bear a certificate of service showing service of a copy on staff counsel and bar counsel of The Florida Bar and on all interested parties to the proceedings.

(6) Amendment. Pleadings may be amended by order of the referee, and a reasonable time shall be given within which to respond thereto.

(7) Expediting the Trial. If it shall be made to appear that the date of final hearing should be expedited in the public interest, the referee may, in the referee’s discretion, shorten the time for filing pleadings and the notice requirements as provided in this rule.

(8) Disqualification of Referee. Upon motion of either party, a referee may be disqualified from service in the same manner and to the same extent that a trial judge may be disqualified under existing law from acting in a judicial capacity. In the event of disqualification, the chief justice shall appoint a successor. (

i) Notice of Final Hearing. The cause may be set down for trial by either party or the referee upon not less than 10 days’ notice. The trial shall be held as soon as possible following the expiration of 10 days from the filing of the respondent’s answer, or if no answer is filed, then from the date when such answer is due. (

j) The Respondent. Unless the respondent claims a privilege or right properly available under applicable federal or state law, the respondent may be called as a witness by The Florida Bar to make specific and complete disclosure of all matters material to the issues. When the respondent is subpoenaed to appear and give testimony or to produce books, papers, or documents and refuses to answer or to produce such books, papers, or documents, or, having been duly sworn to testify, refuses to answer any proper question, the respondent may be cited for contempt of the court. (

k) Complaining Witness. The complaining witness is not a party to the disciplinary proceeding, and shall have no rights other than those of any other witness. However, unless it is found to be impractical due to unreasonable delay or other good cause, and after the complaining witness has testified during the case in chief, the referee may grant the complaining witness the right to be present at any hearing when the respondent is also present. A complaining witness may be called upon to testify and produce evidence as any other witness.

Neither unwillingness nor neglect of the complaining witness to cooperate, nor settlement, compromise, or restitution will excuse failure to complete any trial. The complaining witness shall have no right to appeal. (

l) Parol Evidence: Evidence other than that contained in a written attorney-client contract may not be used in proceedings conducted under the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar to vary the terms of that contract, except competent evidence other than that contained in a written fee contract may be used only if necessary to resolve issues of excessive fees or excessive costs. (

m) Referee’s Report.

(1) Contents of Report. Within 30 days after the conclusion of a trial before a referee or 10 days after the referee receives the transcripts of all hearings, whichever is later, or within such extended period of time as may be allowed by the chief justice for good cause shown, the referee shall make a report and enter it as part of the record, but failure to enter the report in the time prescribed shall not deprive the referee of jurisdiction. The referee’s report shall include: (

A) a finding of fact as to each item of misconduct of which the respondent is charged, which findings of fact shall enjoy the same presumption of correctness as the judgment of the trier of fact in a civil proceeding; (

B) recommendations as to whether the respondent should be found guilty of misconduct justifying disciplinary measures; (

C) recommendations as to the disciplinary measures to be applied; (

D) a statement of any past disciplinary measures as to the respondent that are on record with the executive director of The Florida Bar or that otherwise become known to the referee through evidence properly admitted by the referee during the course of the proceedings (after a finding of guilt, all evidence of prior disciplinary measures may be offered by bar counsel subject to appropriate objection or explanation by respondent); and (E)a statement, of costs incurred and recommendations as to the manner in which such costs should be taxed.

(2) Filing. The referee’s report and record of proceedings shall in all cases be transmitted together to the Supreme Court of Florida. Copies of the report shall be served on the parties including copy-of the-record on bar counsel with the report.~Bar counsel will make a copy of the record, as furnished, available to other parties on request and payment of the actual costs of reproduction. (

n) The Record.

(1) Recording of Testimony. All hearings at which testimony is presented shall be attended by a court reporter who shall record all testimony. Transcripts of such testimony are not required to be filed in the matter, unless requested by a party, who shall pay the cost of transcription directly, or ordered by the referee, in which ease the costs thereof are subject to assessment as elsewhere provided in these rules.

(2) Contents. The record shall include all items properly filed in the cause including pleadings, recorded testimony, if transcribed, exhibits in evidence, and the report of the referee. (

o) Plea of Guilty by Respondent. At any time during the progress of disciplinary proceedings, a respondent may tender a plea of guilty.

(1) Before Filing of Complaint. If the plea is tendered before filing of a complaint by staff counsel, such plea shall be tendered in writing to the grievance committee or bar counsel.

(2) After Filing of Complaint. If the complaint has been filed against the respondent, the respondent may enter a plea of guilty thereto by filing the same in writing with the referee to whom the cause has been assigned for trial. Such referee shall take such testimony thereto as may be advised, following which the referee will enter a report as otherwise provided.

(3) Unconditional. An unconditional plea of guilty shall not preclude review as to disciplinary measures imposed.

(4) Procedure. Except as herein provided, all procedure in relation to disposition of the cause on pleas of guilty shall be as elsewhere provided in these rules. (

p) Cost of Review or Reproduction.

(1) The charge for reproduction, when photocopying or other reproduction is performed by the bar, for the purposes of these rules shall be as determined and published annually by the executive director. In addition to reproduction charges, the bar may charge a reasonable fee incident to a request to review disciplinary records or for research into the records of disciplinary proceedings and identification of documents to be reproduced.

(2) When the bar is requested to reproduce documents that are voluminous or is requested to produce transcripts in the possession of the bar, the bar may decline to reproduce the documents in the offices of the bar and shall inform the requesting person of the following options: (A)purchase of the transcripts from the court reporter service that produced them; (

B) purchase of the documents from the third party from whom the bar received them; or (

C) designation of a commercial photocopy service to which the bar shall deliver the original documents to be copied, at the requesting party’s expense, provided the photocopy service agrees to preserve and return the original documents and not to release them to any person without the bar’s consent. (

q) Costs.

(1) Taxable Costs. Taxable costs of the proceedings shall include only: (

A) investigative costs, including travel and out-of-pocket expenses; (

B) court reporters’ fees; (

C) copy costs; (

D) telephone charges; (

E) fees for translation services; (

F) witness expenses, including travel and out-of-pocket expenses; (

G) travel and out-of-pocket expenses of the referee; (

H) travel and out-of-pocket expenses of counsel in the proceedings, including of the respondent if acting as counsel; and (

I) an administrative fee in the amount of $1250 when costs are assessed in favor of the bar.

(2) Discretion of Referee. The referee shall have discretion to award costs and, absent an abuse of discretion, the referee’s award shall not be reversed.

(3) Assessment of Bar Costs. When the bar is successful, in whole or in part, the referee may assess the bar’s costs against the respondent unless it is shown that the costs of the bar were unnecessary, excessive, or improperly authenticated.

(4) Assessment of Respondent’s Costs. When the bar is unsuccessful in the prosecution of a particular matter, the referee may assess the respondent’s costs against the bar in the event that there was no justiciable issue of either law or fact raised by the bar. Court Comment A comprehensive referee’s report under subdivision (

m) is beneficial to a reviewing court so that the court need not make assumptions about the referee’s intent or return the report to the referee for clarification. The referee’s report should list and address each issue in the case and cite to available authority for the referee’s recommendations concerning guilt and discipline. RULE 3-7.9 CONSENT JUDGMENT (a)Before Formal Complaint is Filed. If before a formal complaint, is filed a respondent states a desire to plead guilty, staffbar counsel shall consult established board guidelines for discipline and confer with the designated reviewer.

If staffbar counsel or the designated reviewer rejects the proposed consent judgment, the matter shall not be referred to the board of governors. If staffbar counsel and the designated reviewer approve the proposed consent judgment, the respondent shall be advised that staffbar counsel and the designated reviewer will recommend approval of the respondent’s written plea, and the matter shall be placed on the agenda of the board of governors for its review.

If the board of governors concurs in the consent judgment, bar counsel shall notify the respondent and file all necessary pleadings to secure approval of the plea. If a proposed consent judgment is rejected, bar counsel shall prepare and file a complaint as provided elsewhere in these rules. (

b) After Filing of Formal Complaint. If a respondent states a desire to plead guilty to a formal complaint that has been filed, staff counsel shall consult established board guidelines for discipline and confer with the designated reviewer. If staff counsel or the designated reviewer rejects the proposed consent judgment, the plea shall not be filed with the referee.

If staff counsel and the designated reviewer approve the proposed consent judgment, the respondent shall be advised that staff counsel and the designated reviewer will recommend approval of the respondent’s written plea and the consent judgment shall be filed with the referee. If the referee accepts the consent judgment, the referee shall enter a report and file same with the court as provided elsewhere in these rules. If the referee rejects the consent judgment, the matter shall proceed as provided in this chapter. (

c) Approval of Consent Judgments. Acceptance of any proposed consent judgment shall be conditioned on final approval by the Supreme Court of Florida, and the court’s order will recite the disciplinary charges against the respondent'. (

d) Content of Conditional Pleas. All conditional pleas shall show clearly by reference or otherwise the disciplinary offenses to which the-plea is made. (

e) Authority of Staff CounselEffect of Pleas on Certification. Staff counsel has no-authority to commit-the bar on any consent judgment- not previously-approved as provided in this r-ule; — In negotiating consent judgments with a respondent or in recommending acceptance, rejection, or offer of a tendered consent judgment, staff counsel and designated reviewer shall consider and express a recommendation on whether the consent judgment shall include revocation of certification if held by the attorney and restrictions to be placed on recertification in such areas.

When certification revocation is agreed to in a consent judgment, the revocation and any conditions on recertification will be reported to the legal specialization and education director for recording purposes. RULE 3-7.10 REINSTATEMENT AND READMISSION PROCEDURES (

a) Reinstatement; Applicability. An attorney who has been suspended or placed on the inactive list for incapacity not related to misconduct may be reinstated to membership in The Florida Bar pursuant to this rule. The proceedings under this rule are not applicable to suspension for nonpayment of membership fees. (

b) Petitions; Form and Contents.

(1) Filing. The original petition for reinstatement and 1 copy thereof shall be in writing, verified by the petitioner, and addressed to and filed with the Supreme Court of Florida. A copy shall be served on Staff Counsel, The Florida Bar, 651 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2300.

(2) Form and Exhibits. The petition shall be in such form and shall be accompanied by such exhibits as provided for elsewhere in this rule.

The information required concerning the petitioner may include any or all of the following matters in addition to such other matters as may be reasonably required to determine the fitness of. the petitioner to resume the practice of law: criminal and civil judgments*; disciplinary judgments*; copies of income tax returns together with consents to secure original returns*; occupation during suspension and information in connection therewith^ financial statements*; and statement of restitution of funds that were the subject matter of disciplinary proceedings.

In cases seeking reinstatement from incapacity, the petition shall also include copies of all pleadings in the matter leading to placement on the inactive list and all such other matters as may be reasonably required to demonstrate the character and fitness of the petitioner to resume the practice of law. (

c) Deposit for Cost. The petition shall be accompanied by proof of a deposit paid to The Florida Bar in such amount as the board of governors shall prescribe to ensure payment of reasonable costs of the proceedings, as provided elsewhere in this rule. (

d) Reference of Petition For Hearing. The chief justice shall refer the petition for reinstatement to a referee for hearing; provided, however, that no such reference shall be made until evidence is submitted showing that all costs assessed against the petitioner in all disciplinary or incapacity proceedings have been paid and restitution has been made. (

e) Bar Counsel. When a petition for reinstatement is filed, the board of governors or staff counsel, if authorized by the board of governors, may appoint bar counsel to represent The Florida Bar in the proceeding. The duties of such attorneys shall be to appear at the hearings and to prepare and present to the referee evidence that, in the opinion of the referee or such attorneys, should be considered in passing upon the petition. (

f) Determination of Fitness by Referee Hearing. The referee to whom the petition for reinstatement is referred shall conduct the hearing as a trial, in the same manner, to the extent practical, as provided elsewhere in these rules. The matter to decide shall be the fitness of the petitioner to resume the practice of law.

In determining the fitness of the petitioner to resume the practice of law, the referee shall consider whether the petitioner has engaged in any disqualifying conduct, the character and fitness of the petitioner, and whether the petitioner has been rehabilitated, as further described in this subdivision. All conduct engaged in after the date of admission to The Florida Bar shall be relevant in proceedings under this rule. (1)Disqualifying Conduct. A record manifesting a deficiency in the honesty, trustworthiness, diligence, or reliability of a petitioner may constitute a basis for denial of reinstatement.

The following shall be considered as disqualifying conduct: (

A) unlawful conduct; (

B) academic misconduct; (

C) making or procuring any false or misleading statement or omission of relevant information, including any false or misleading statement or omission on any application requiring a showing of good moral character; (

D) misconduct in employment; (

E) acts involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; (

F) abuse of legal process; (

G) financial irresponsibility; (

H) neglect of professional obligations; (

I) violation of an order of a court; (

J) evidence of mental or emotional instability; (

K) evidence of drug or alcohol dependency; (

L) denial of admission to the bar in another jurisdiction on character and fitness grounds; (

M) disciplinary action by a lawyer disciplinary agency or other professional disciplinary agency of any jurisdiction; and (

N) any other conduct that reflects adversely upon the character or fitness of the applicant.

(2) Determination of Character and Fitness. In addition to other factors in making this determination, the following factors should be considered in assigning weight and significance to prior conduct: (

A) age at the time of the conduct; (

B) recency of the conduct; (

C) reliability of the information concerning the conduct; (

D) seriousness of the conduct; (

E) factors underlying the conduct; (

F) cumulative effect of the conduct or information; (

G) evidence of rehabilitation; (

H) positive social contributions since the conduct; (

I) candor in the discipline, and reinstatement processes; and (

J) materiality of any omissions or misrepresentations.

(3) Elements of Rehabilitation. Any petitioner for reinstatement from discipline for prior misconduct shall be required to produce clear and convincing evidence of such rehabilitation including, but not limited to, the following elements: (

A) strict compliance with the specific conditions of any disciplinary, judicial, administrative, or other order, where applicable; (

B) unimpeachable character and moral standing in the community; (

C) good reputation for professional ability, where applicable; (

D) lack of malice and ill feeling toward those who by du

[…]