Florida Rules of Professional Conduct – 2026

Chapter 4 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar — the Rules of Professional Conduct — governs the professional obligations of every lawyer admitted in Florida: competence and diligence, confidentiality of information, conflicts of interest, fees, trust accounts, the duties of a lawyer as advocate and as counselor, responsibilities within a firm, advertising and solicitation, and the reporting of professional misconduct. Florida numbers these rules on its own scheme — candor toward the tribunal is rule 4-3.3, not Rule 3.3 — and each rule carries its official Comment.

Last updated October 24, 2026

Browse all 79 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

Preamble A Lawyer's Responsibilities

Client-Lawyer Relationship

Rule 4-1.1 Competence Rule 4-1.2 Objectives and Scope of Representation Rule 4-1.3 Diligence Rule 4-1.4 Communication Rule 4-1.5 Fees and Costs for Legal Services Rule 4-1.6 Confidentiality of Information Rule 4-1.7 Conflict of Interest; Current Clients Rule 4-1.8 Conflict of Interest; Prohibited and Other Transactions Rule 4-1.9 Conflict of Interest; Former Client Rule 4-1.10 Imputation of Conflicts of Interest; General Rule Rule 4-1.11 Special Conflicts of Interest for Former and Current Government Officers and Employees Rule 4-1.12 Former Judge or Arbitrator, Mediator or Other Third-party Neutral Rule 4-1.13 Organization as Client Rule 4-1.14 Client with Diminished Capacity Rule 4-1.15 Safekeeping Property Rule 4-1.16 Declining or Terminating Representation Rule 4-1.17 Sale of Law Practice Rule 4-1.18 Duties to Prospective Client Rule 4-1.19 Collaborative Law Process in Family Law

Counselor

Rule 4-2.1 Adviser Rule 4-2.2 Open/vacant Rule 4-2.3 Evaluation for Use by Third Persons Rule 4-2.4 Lawyer Serving as Third-party Neutral

Advocate

Rule 4-3.1 Meritorious Claims and Contentions Rule 4-3.2 Expediting Litigation Rule 4-3.3 Candor Toward the Tribunal Rule 4-3.4 Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel Rule 4-3.5 Impartiality and Decorum of the Tribunal Rule 4-3.6 Trial Publicity Rule 4-3.7 Lawyer as Witness Rule 4-3.8 Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor Rule 4-3.9 Advocate in Nonadjudicative Proceedings

Transactions With Persons Other Than Clients

Rule 4-4.1 Truthfulness in Statements to Others Rule 4-4.2 Communication with Person Represented by Counsel Rule 4-4.3 Dealing with Unrepresented Persons Rule 4-4.4 Respect for Rights of Third Persons

Law Firms and Associations

Rule 4-5.1 Responsibilities of Partners, Managers, and Supervisory Lawyers Rule 4-5.2 Responsibilities of a Subordinate Lawyer Rule 4-5.3 Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistants Rule 4-5.4 Professional Independence of a Lawyer Rule 4-5.5 Unlicensed Practice of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law Rule 4-5.6 Restrictions on Right to Practice Rule 4-5.7 Responsibilities Regarding Nonlegal Services Rule 4-5.8 Procedures for Lawyers Leaving Law Firms and Dissolution of Law Firms

Public Service

Rule 4-6.1 Pro Bono Public Service Rule 4-6.2 Accepting Appointments Rule 4-6.3 Membership in Legal Services Organization Rule 4-6.4 Law Reform Activities Affecting Client Interests Rule 4-6.5 Voluntary Pro Bono Plan Rule 4-6.6 Short-term Limited Legal Services Programs

Information About Legal Services

Rule 4-7.1 Open/vacant Rule 4-7.2 Open/vacant Rule 4-7.3 Open/vacant Rule 4-7.4 Open/vacant Rule 4-7.5 Open/vacant Rule 4-7.6 Open/vacant Rule 4-7.7 Open/vacant Rule 4-7.8 Open/vacant Rule 4-7.9 Open/vacant Rule 4-7.10 Open/vacant Rule 4-7.11 Application of Rules Rule 4-7.12 Required Content Rule 4-7.13 Deceptive and Inherently Misleading Advertisements Rule 4-7.14 Potentially Misleading Advertisements Rule 4-7.15 Unduly Manipulative or Intrusive Advertisements Rule 4-7.16 Presumptively Valid Content Rule 4-7.17 Payment for Advertising and Promotion Rule 4-7.18 Direct Contact with Prospective Clients Rule 4-7.19 Evaluation of Advertisements Rule 4-7.20 Exemptions from the Filing and Review Requirement Rule 4-7.21 Firm Names and Letterhead Rule 4-7.22 Referrals, Directories and Pooled Advertising

Maintaining the Integrity of the Profession

Rule 4-8.1 Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters Rule 4-8.2 Judicial and Legal Officials Rule 4-8.3 Reporting Professional Misconduct Rule 4-8.4 Misconduct Rule 4-8.5 Jurisdiction Rule 4-8.6 Authorized Business Entities