Comments on: Let’s Just Authorize Unauthorized Practice Once and For All

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 15:42:34 +0000

Florida has no reciprocity because it has created a scenario where anyone from out of state will find that getting fair representation there is next to impossible. I know, I have been given the runaround and ridiculous fees trying to have Florida enforce its laws on behalf of a non-resident. Apparently the “Good ole boys” have finally succeeded in getting revenge on a Yankee.

By: mythago

mythago — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 21:58:52 +0000

You have to wonder about the guy trying to paint his practice as ‘temporary’.
The article doesn’t link to the ruling, so it’s a bit hard to tell on what grounds it was made.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Sat, 09 Sep 2006 16:03:49 +0000

While I certainly would like to see more standardized admissions and reciprocity in bar memberships, I’ll admit I’m not ready to see someone fly in from another state and open a new legal office down the street from mine with no oversight. I simply don’t see a problem with someone who has lived in Florida for 29 years and who wants to contract to provide legal services in Florida (regardless of whether the niche specializes in New York or Cuba or wherever) from having to obtain a license in Florida.

By: Susan Cartier-Liebel

Susan Cartier-Liebel — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 08:56:13 +0000

Carolyn,
The articles states, “The real issue was one of misleading the public,” says Barry Richard, a Tallahassee lawyer who represents the defense. “We said that we didn’t care what he said he wanted to do; he was holding himself out as being able to practice law in Florida.”
Therefore, if the real issue is supposedly misleading the public, wouldn’t a disclaimer be sufficient stating he is not a licensed lawyer in Florida, but New York and only available to help snow birds with their New York issues?
There is much more going on and it has to do with why Florida has no reciprocity with other states. It is a place people retire and there would simply be too many lawyers “practicing.”
And this will be the hold up to change, especially in states such as Florida. The Florida bar wants to protect themselves from an influx of relocating/retiring attorneys diluting their lawyer/client ratios.