IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
IN AND FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2.105 – 9/08*

IN RE: FIFTEENTH CIRCUIT PROFESSIONALISM COUNCIL
________________________________________________________:

In May of 1990, the Board of Governors of the Florida Bar approved Ideals and Goals of Professionalism, hereinafter referred to as the Ideals. In June of 1990, the Board of Directors of the Palm Beach County Bar Association approved Standards of Professional Courtesy, hereinafter referred to as the Standards, to educate attorneys unfamiliar with the customary practices in Palm Beach County; and the Standards and their amendments, have been endorsed by the Judges of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. The Professionalism Committee of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and the President of the Palm Beach County Bar Association have asked this Court to assist in counseling members of the Bar who engage in conduct inconsistent with the Ideals or Standards.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority conferred by Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.215, it is ORDERED as follows:

1. There is established the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Professionalism Council, composed of four members of the Bar and/or retired Judges selected by the Chief Judge, the President of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and a representative of The Florida Bar Board of Governors for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. The Chief Judge shall not be a member but may preside over the Council.

2. The purpose of this Council is to meet with attorneys who have conducted themselves in a manner inconsistent with the Ideals or Standards in order to discuss such conduct and counsel attorneys to avoid future conduct inconsistent with the Ideals or Standards. The Council shall have no authority to discipline any attorney within this circuit nor to compel any attorney to appear before the Council. The following procedures shall generally govern the proceedings of the Council:

a. When any Judge within the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit determines that an attorney has engaged in conduct inconsistent with the Ideals or Standards, the Judge may refer the matter orally or by letter to the Professionalism Committee of the Palm Beach County Bar. Written referrals from Judges shall not name the attorney. The letter shall be addressed to the Professionalism Committee who will review the letter to determine whether the matter should proceed to consideration by the Council. If the Professionalism Committee determines that the matter should proceed to the Council, the Professionalism Committee shall address a letter to the attorney involved inviting that attorney to meet the Council on a date and time specified.

b. If an attorney observes conduct on the part of another attorney which is inconsistent with the Ideals or Standards, that attorney may request that the Council consider the matter. Such a request shall be directed by letter to the Palm Beach County Bar Association Professionalism Committee which shall review the matter and determine whether it justifies a referral to the Council. If a matter is referred to the Council, the Professionalism Committee shall address a letter to the attorney involved inviting the attorney to meet with the Council on a date and time specified.

c. Any letter sent by the Professionalism Committee requesting that an attorney appear before the Council shall identify the conduct inconsistent with the Ideals or Standards and the Ideals or Standards violated; and specifically advise the attorney that the Council meeting is not a disciplinary proceeding.

d. The Council will meet at the time specified and discuss with the attorney the conduct inconsistent with the Ideals or Standards. If an attorney fails to appear, the Council shall discuss the conduct inconsistent with the Ideals or Standards. The Council will summarize the Council's discussions by letter to the attorney involved.

e. A copy of the Council's letter with the names deleted shall be sent to the Palm Beach County Bar Bulletin for publication.

DONE AND SIGNED, in Chambers, at West Palm Beach, Florida, this 29th day of September, 2008.

/s/ Kathleen J. Kroll, Chief Judge

supersedes admin. order 2.039 – 4/03