The Florida Supreme Court has directed The Florida Bar to eliminate funding for diversity and inclusion initiatives from its forthcoming budget, a move that includes the removal of allocated funds for the Bar’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Paul Flemming, the Supreme Court’s director of Public Information, said that Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz supports and advocates for the participation and leadership of all Bar members. However, he emphasized that The Florida Bar, as a governmental entity structured by the state’s constitution, must treat all members impartially and without bias. Flemming noted that discontinuing funding for the Bar’s diversity and inclusion efforts aligns with the Supreme Court’s actions regarding its own Standing Committee on Fairness and Diversity.

Florida Bar President Scott Westheimer said that as an official arm of the Florida Supreme Court, the Bar operates under the court’s exclusive authority and direction. In accordance with the court’s directive, the Bar will transition the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and its funding to a new Membership Outreach Committee, tasked with encouraging all Florida lawyers to enhance their involvement with the Bar. These changes are slated to take effect at the onset of the next budget cycle, commencing on July 1.