When is a lawyer not a lawyer?

The Bar board of governors has approved a rule that will prohibit disbarred and suspended lawyers from appearing in administrative proceedings where non-lawyers are able to represent others.

The board were presented with an amendment to Rule 3-6.1 on prohibiting disbarred and suspended attorneys from appearing in administrative proceedings by Andy Sasso, the Chair of the Disciplinary Procedure Committee

Information that was provided to the board contended that as the Supreme Court of Florida has adjudged that a disbarred lawyer is unfit to represent clients as a lawyer then that provides ample reason to believe that a disbarred or suspended lawyer should not be able to represent clients in a non-lawyer capacity in front of a decision making authority. In such cases the disbarred or suspended lawyer would not have the title nor office of lawyer but would be acting the part of a lawyer on the behalf of members of the public

The Supreme Court of Florida will now review the rule.