IN RE: AMENDMENTS TO RULES REGULATING THE FLORIDA BAR – RULE 4-8.6. (2025)

The Florida Bar has filed a petition proposing amendments to Rule Regulating The Florida Bar 4-8.6 (Authorized Business Entities).¹ The proposed amendments were approved by the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar, and, consistent with rule 1-12.1(g), the Bar published formal notice of its intent to file the petition in The Florida Bar News. The notice directed interested parties to file comments directly with the Court. No comments were received.

We amend rule 4-8.6 as proposed by the Bar with minor modification. In subdivision (a), “not-for-profit authorized business entities” are added as a type of authorized business entity in which lawyers may practice. Additionally, subdivision (c) is retitled and reorganized, and language is added to new subdivisions (c)(1) and (c)(2) to clarify that subject to an exception for nonlawyer board members “as authorized by rule 4-5.4(f),” nonlawyers may not serve in certain positions, have certain titles, or perform policy-making functions. New subdivision (c)(3) clarifies that only a person legally qualified to render legal services in Florida may direct the legal services or professional judgment of a lawyer engaged in the practice of law in Florida.

Accordingly, the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar are amended as set forth in the appendix to this opinion. Deletions are indicated by struck-through type, and new language is indicated by underscoring. The amendments become effective February 16, 2026, at 12:01 a.m.

It is so ordered.

APPENDIX

FOOTNOTES

1.   We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 15, Fla. Const.; see also R. Regulating Fla. Bar 1-12.1.

PER CURIAM.

MUÑIZ, C.J., and CANADY, LABARGA, COURIEL, GROSSHANS, FRANCIS, and SASSO, JJ., concur.