Public Interest Law Section Opposes Proposed Florida Bar Policy Threatening Smaller Sections
November 5, 2026
The Public Interest Law Section (PILS) of The Florida Bar has submitted formal comments opposing proposed Standing Board Policy (SBP) 5.58, which would establish an ongoing minimum membership requirement for Florida Bar sections and could result in the dissolution of several long-standing sections, including PILS.
For 37 years, PILS has provided a forum for Florida attorneys committed to public interest law, access to justice, and advocacy on behalf of underserved communities. Through its substantive workgroups, continuing legal education programs, and legislative and policy advocacy, PILS plays an important role in supporting Florida's legal aid and public interest legal community.
PILS strongly opposes the proposed 1% membership requirement and automatic dissolution provision. While PILS does not oppose reasonable fiscal solvency requirements, its formal comment raises several significant concerns:
Membership numbers do not determine a section's value. Smaller sections provide specialized education, professional development, mentorship, and advocacy that benefit the broader legal profession.
Existing sections should not face automatic dissolution without individualized review. The Florida Bar already has an established process under SBP 5.80 to evaluate section performance, including membership, finances, and participation.
The proposal lacks a demonstrated financial justification. PILS maintains an operating surplus, covers its administrative fees, and has a fund balance exceeding $100,000.
The proposed threshold creates uncertainty and administrative burdens. An annually changing membership requirement, coupled with inconsistent membership data, would force volunteer leaders to redirect time and resources away from substantive programming.
The proposal disproportionately affects public interest and public-sector attorneys. Many legal aid, nonprofit, and government attorneys pay section dues personally and face financial barriers to membership.
Over the past year, PILS helped developed nearly 77.5 hours of CLE programming across 45 trainings, reaching more than 2,000 unique attendees. Its workgroups address children's rights, civil rights and immigration, consumer and tenant protection, disability rights, and other issues affecting vulnerable Floridians.
PILS urges the Florida Bar's Program Evaluation Committee and Board of Governors to reject SBP 5.58 as drafted. If the proposal moves forward, PILS requests meaningful safeguards, including grandfathering existing sections, allowing adequate time for compliance, recognizing all membership categories, providing appropriate exceptions for public-service sections, and requiring individualized review before any section is dissolved.
Support PILS: Attorneys interested in supporting the Section and its continued work can join PILS for $55 per year.
PILS remains committed to serving Florida's legal aid and public interest community and ensuring that its members continue to have a meaningful voice within The Florida Bar.
Read PILS's full comment:
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