CLE 123 inc.

Supreme Court Argument - Ibanez v. Florida Department - Supreme Court Argument (Lawyer Advertising - ETHICS)

Petitioner Ibanez is a member of the Florida Bar; she is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed by respondent Florida Board of Accountancy (Board), and is authorized by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, a private organization, to use the designation "Certified Financial Planner" (CFP). She referred to these credentials in her advertising and other communication with the public concerning her law practice, placing CPA and CFP next to her name in her yellow pages listing and on her business cards and law offices stationery. Notwithstanding the apparent truthfulness of the communication-it is undisputed that neither her CPA license nor her CFP authorization has been revoked-the Board reprimanded her for engaging in "false, deceptive, and misleading" advertising. The District Court of Appeal of Florida, First District, affirmed.
Held: The Board's decision censuring Ibanez is incompatible with First Amendment restraints on official action.

About the Lecturer

Mr. Jeffrey B. Gold Esq.

Jeffrey B. Gold is a partner in the Law Firm of Gold, Stewart, Kravatz, Benes & Stone LLP in Westbury, NY.

Mr. Gold's practice consists of insurance coverage, personal injury and commercial litigation.  He can be reached at (516) 512-6333 or at jgold@goldstewart.com.

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