Judicial Promotion of Pro Bono
State Codes of Judicial Conduct (with relevant pro bono language)
Florida
According to Canon 4B of the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct, a judge is encouraged to speak, write, lecture, teach and participate in other quasi-judicial activities concerning the law, the legal system, the administration of justice, and the role of the judiciary as an independent branch within our system of government, subject to the requirements of this Code.
The Comments to 4B make clear that support of pro bono legal services by members of the bench is an activity that relates to improvement of the administration of justice.
Accordingly, a judge may engage in activities intended to encourage attorneys to perform pro bono services, including, but not limited to:
- participating in events to recognize attorneys who do pro bono work,
- establishing general procedural or scheduling accommodations for pro bono attorneys as feasible, and
- acting in an advisory capacity to pro bono programs.
For more information on Florida Canon 4B, please click here:
http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/decisions/ethics/09-15-2008_Code_Judicial_Conduct.pdf
