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## Florida Bar – AI Ethics, Discipline & Governance Framework ### Overview The Florida Bar is actively developing a regulatory and ethical framework governing attorney use of artificial intelligence, with particular focus on generative AI. Activity accelerated through late 2025 and into 2026, encompassing rule amendments, new disclosure forms, and disciplinary guidance (Florida Bar News, June 3). ### Key Regulatory Developments #### Baker-Barnes House Panel Briefing (December 2025) The Florida Bar News reported in December 2025 that a Baker-Barnes briefing before a Florida House panel addressed AI ethics, attorney discipline, and emerging safeguards (Florida Bar News, June 3). The discussion centered on generative AI use by Florida attorneys, covering competence obligations, supervisory duties, and potential disciplinary exposure. #### Proposed Rule Amendments – Rule 8.210 (Parties and Participants) Proposed amendments to Rule 8.210 are under consideration, addressing the designation and roles of parties and participants in Florida Bar proceedings (Florida Bar News, June 3). The amendments may affect how AI-assisted legal work is attributed or how non-lawyer participants using AI tools are characterized. #### Proposed New Form 8.914 (Disclosure From Nonlawyer) A proposed new form requiring disclosure from nonlawyers is under development (Florida Bar News, June 3). This form likely addresses scenarios where nonlawyers deploy AI tools in legal contexts, potentially triggering unauthorized practice of law concerns. ### Attorney Compliance Implications - **Competence (Rule 1.1)**: Florida attorneys may face competence obligations requiring familiarity with AI tools used in client matters - **Supervision (Rule 5.3)**: Oversight obligations for nonlawyer AI use in law firm operations - **Candor (Rule 3.3)**: AI-generated citations and hallucinated case law create disciplinary risk - **UPL Exposure**: Form 8.914 signals regulatory attention to nonlawyer AI-assisted legal service delivery ### National Significance Florida's framework development is among the most active state bar AI governance efforts in the US. Florida's approach may influence ABA model rule amendments and other state bars (California, New York, Texas) developing parallel frameworks. ### Key Dates - **December 11, 2025**: Baker-Barnes House Panel briefing reported (Florida Bar News) - **2026**: Rule 8.210 amendments and Form 8.914 under active proposal (Florida Bar News, June 3)