Using a fictitious name as your official Bar name? It’s time to change it.

Earlier this year, the Florida Supreme Court amended Bar Rule 1-3.3, which requires each member of The Florida Bar designate an official Bar name, mailing address, business telephone number, and business email address.

The court amended the rule to include, “The official bar name may not be a fictitious name,” and added a new subsection (c) that makes clear the rule does not prohibit a lawyer from using a law firm name that does not include the lawyer’s official Bar name in compliance with other Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. Florida Bar members also must practice only under their official Bar name.