Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is asking the Supreme Court to create a new pathway for out-of-state attorneys to temporarily practice law in Florida government, in a move designed to address staffing shortages and ease barriers for experienced lawyers seeking public service.

The Attorney General’s Office on May 20 filed a petition with the court to add a new Chapter 22 to the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, permitting certain state government lawyers to acquire certification to practice law in Florida for up to three years while employed by or mentored by a Florida Bar member. The new chapter sets forth the requirements for eligibility, application, certification by the Supreme Court, renewal, permissible activities while certified, continuing legal education, and termination of the eligibility to practice law by the government lawyer. (See Notice, here.)

The petition says the new chapter and its requirements are patterned after Chapter 21, which authorizes military spouses to engage in the practice of law in Florida for up to five years.

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