At its meeting July 28 in Sarasota, The Florida Bar board of governors endorsed a new program to allow law school graduates to practice under certain limited conditions before they pass the state Bar exam.
The Florida Bar said the board unanimously approved a proposal from the Florida Public Defender Association to amend Bar rules to permit a law school graduate to practice for up to one year under the supervision of an attorney while awaiting Bar admission.
The proposal would add a subdivision to Rule 11-19 that states: “A graduate of an American Bar Association approved law school who has filed an application to The Florida Bar and received an initial clearance letter as to character and fitness from the Florida Board of Bar Examiners may make appearances for the maximum term of certification of 12 months from graduation for the same entities and under the same restrictions that are applicable to law school practice programs under this chapter.”
Supporters of the proposal said the change could help public defenders and state attorneys recruit lawyers to mitigate staff turnover as well as create opportunities for new lawyers at legal aid organizations.
The state Supreme Court will consider the rule change and determine whether to implement the proposal.