The Florida Bar v. Christopher W. Crowley

Summary

The Florida Supreme Court held that the Florida Bar’s rule prohibiting lawyers from making false statements about a candidate’s qualifications (Rule 4‑8.2(a)) violates the First Amendment when applied to political speech in a state‑attorney campaign. Accordingly, the Court affirmed the lower court’s decision, rejecting the Bar’s cross‑appeals and finding no violation of Rules 3‑4.3, 4‑8.4(a) or 4‑8.4(d).