The Florida Bar gears up for hurricane season

The Florida Bar gears up for hurricane season

‘We are committed to protecting the Florida public, especially in times of stress or crisis, and enforcing our rules to ensure that  citizens are not being taken advantage of during a vulnerable time’

With the arrival of hurricane season, The Florida Bar is providing consumer resources, educating the public, preparing to assist Bar members, and has reactivated its Disciplinary Hotline to address resident concerns over possible professional misconduct and unlawful solicitation by lawyers in any storms’ aftermath.

Floridians who encounter such issues may report them by calling the hotline at 833-979-8225.

“As the official arm of the Florida Supreme Court, we take very seriously our responsibility to ensure that our members are operating within the guidelines put forth by our disciplinary system,” said Scott Westheimer, Florida Bar President. “We are committed to protecting the Florida public, especially in times of stress or crisis, and enforcing our rules to ensure that  citizens are not being taken advantage of during a vulnerable time.”

Bar rules strictly prohibit lawyers from soliciting clients in person, by phone, via cold call, or through third parties, unless the client is a family member or someone with whom the lawyer has a prior professional relationship. Lawyers are also prohibited from sending direct mail solicitations to prospective clients within 30 days of an incident, including a hurricane or tropical storm.

Each year during Florida’s hurricane season, from June through the end of November, The Florida Bar’s Hurricane Information Page is routinely updated with information on court closures throughout the state and important resources for members of the public and the state’s lawyers.

Resources for the public include:

• Florida Free Legal Answers, an 100% online advice clinic that matches low-income Floridians with licensed attorneys who can answer basic legal questions online.

• Mass Disaster Consumer Pamphlet, providing guidance on who to contact for legal assistance and how to protect legal rights during and after a mass disaster.

• Information for consumers on who to contact about price gouging, unlawful solicitations, unlicensed practice of law, and legal complaints.