Forums

[Not Me]

Florida moving to ban lawyer advertising

• TALLAHASSEE, Fla., March 24 (UPI) -- Florida lawmakers gave preliminary approval to a bill that would stop lawyer ads that promise windfall legal settlements and all but invite lawsuits.
  
  The state House gave preliminary approval -- without debate -- to a sweeping measure that would prohibit the solicitation of legal business for profit, the Tampa Tribune reported Wednesday.
  
  As surprising as anything was the lack of opposition, not to mention support, from lawyers themselves.
  
  "Lawyers are embarrassed by the fact there are folks who advertise on TV in ways that are demeaning to the profession," said House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, a lawyer.
  
  Even leading Democrats, who typically resist legislation unfavorable to trial lawyers, support the bill.
  
  "I have no problems with attorneys advertising, but some of these step over the line," said House Minority Leader Doug Wiles, D-St. Augustine.
  
  The measure says the onslaught of soliciting has triggered a crisis in the state's judicial system that "destroys the personal responsibility of individuals, fosters frivolous litigation, and demeans the judiciary and the practice of the law."
  
  Democratic Sen. Skip Campbell, a trial lawyer from Fort Lauderdale, plans to sponsor a similar measure in the Senate.