In re: Amendments to the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar – Subchapter 4-7 (Lawyer Referral Services)
The Florida Supreme Court adopted the Bar's comprehensive rewrite of Rule 4-7.22, replacing the 'lawyer referral service' framework with a broader 'qualifying provider' regime covering matching services, pooled advertising, lawyer directories, and lead generators; rule 4-7.23 (Lawyer Directory) was deleted and rules 4-7.12, 4-7.13, 4-7.16 and 4-7.17 were conformed. Although the amendments did not follow the Court's earlier directive to bar referrals from services not owned or operated by a Bar member, the Court accepted them as necessary while directing the Bar to file, within 90 days, a further petition implementing the Special Committee's first recommendation barring referrals from entities that also refer clients to other professionals for the same incident.
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Key facts
- The Florida Supreme Court adopted comprehensive amendments to Rule 4-7.22 regulating the Florida Bar, replacing the 'lawyer referral service' framework with a broader 'qualifying provider' regime covering matching services, pooled advertising, lawyer directories, and lead generators.
- The Florida Bar submitted proposed rule amendments that did not follow the Court's earlier directive to bar referrals from services not owned or operated by a Bar member; the Court accepted the amendments as necessary while noting they did not fully implement the Special Committee's recommendations.
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Why it matters
These amendments, effective April 30, 2018, materially expand the regulatory perimeter for Florida lawyers who buy leads, use matching platforms, or participate in pooled advertising or directories — conduct previously… — full analysis with a trial
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