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New Idea Could Bring More Lawyers to State

July 22nd, 2015 by flanews

Floridians in need of a lawyer could have many more options in the near future.  As Matt Galka tells us, the Florida Bar association is mulling over an idea to allow out of state lawyers to practice in the Sunshine State.

Florida isn’t seeing a shortage of lawyers by any means.  The more than 100 thousand licensed Florida attorneys could be getting some company soon.  The Florida Bar is mulling over an idea to admit out of state attorneys without requiring them to pass the state exam. We caught up with Miami based president Ramon Abadin through Skype.

“We live in a country that is moving towards a National Bar Exam, uniform Bar Exam, and because it’s something that I think Florida lawyers should consider,” said Abadin.
The Bar will review a report recommending what’s called reciprocity. The practice is already used in half of the country.  The recommendations include a stipulation that an admitted out of state lawyer be in good standing and in business for five of the last seven years. But not every attorney is excited about the possibility of more lawyers in the courtroom.

Clemency lawyer Reggie Garcia is hesitant. He says Florida’s laws can be different than any other state.

“No offense to other states, but particularly our smaller states that don’t have as many residents that don’t have the same laws we do. Our legislature, as you know from covering them meets every year for 60 days, often more, those laws just change,” said Garcia.

Abadin says the idea reflects changing times.

“If anything my speech has done exactly what it’s intended to do, which is engage the members of the Florida Bar in the changes that are occurring to the profession,” he said.

The proposal is a long way away from a reality. The Florida Supreme Court would have to make the final decision.

Nearly 50 percent of Bar members who responded to a survey last year said that the state already has too many lawyers.

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