Recent amendments adopted by the Florida Supreme Court to The Florida Bar’s Professionalism Expectations reflect an ongoing emphasis on civility, accountability, and professional conduct within the legal profession. While many of the changes formalize standards long understood by practicing attorneys, they also raise important questions about how future lawyers should be prepared for the realities of professional practice.

As the legal profession continues to refine its expectations regarding professionalism and conduct, Associate Dean Jill Backer offers her perspective on how law schools can prepare future attorneys to meet those standards.

The recent updates to Florida’s Professionalism Expectations suggest a shift toward more clearly defined standards of conduct. Why do you think professionalism is becoming more clearly defined and enforced in today’s legal environment?

The legal profession does not exist in isolation from broader cultural trends. As public discourse has become increasingly polarized and, at times, uncivil, the legal profession has faced similar pressures. Attorneys, however, are held to a higher standard.

“The Bar is emphasizing and codifying long-held beliefs and behavioral norms of the profession to help preserve civility and professionalism,” Backer said. “While these expectations have always existed, there is now a greater effort to clearly articulate them and reinforce their importance.”

Several of the amendments focus on clarifying professional expectations and attorney conduct. What does this tell us about how the practice of law is evolving?

According to Backer, the shift reflects a recognition that professionalism is ultimately demonstrated through actions.

“The Bar is reinforcing long-standing expectations regarding attorney conduct in the courtroom and in interactions with opposing counsel,” she said. “Professionalism cannot simply be an aspiration. It must be reflected in how attorneys conduct themselves every day.”

By focusing on observable behavior, the profession is establishing clearer expectations for attorneys while helping maintain public confidence in the legal system.

How should law schools respond to this shift? What responsibilities do they have in preparing students not just to know the law, but to practice it well?

Backer believes legal education must extend beyond doctrine and legal analysis.

“Law schools have a responsibility to address professional behavior whenever it falls short of expected standards,” she said. “We must also teach the professional skills that employers should not have to teach after graduation.”

Developing professional identity, communication skills, judgment, and ethical decision-making are essential components of preparing students for successful legal careers.

Ave Maria Law has long emphasized the integration of faith and reason, or Fides et Ratio, in the formation of its students. How does that approach prepare graduates to meet these emerging expectations of professionalism?

Backer sees a natural connection between faith-based legal education and professional formation.

“The principles of fairness, respect for others, and concern for human dignity are deeply embedded within the Catholic intellectual tradition,” she said. “While secular legal education certainly teaches ethics and professionalism, schools with a religious foundation often model these principles as part of their broader educational mission.”

At Ave Maria Law, the integration of faith and reason encourages students to view the practice of law not simply as a career, but as a vocation dedicated to serving others and advancing justice.

Some have argued that the profession is effectively attempting to codify virtues such as honesty, discipline, and respect without explicitly naming them as virtues. Do you see a connection between moral formation and professional competence?

Backer believes the two are inseparable.

“Moral accountability and empathy are critical components of professionalism,” she said. “Lawyers must have empathy for clients, victims, opposing counsel, and the courts. As officers of the court, attorneys are entrusted with responsibilities that require both competence and character.”

Professional excellence, she argues, depends not only on legal knowledge but also on the habits and virtues that guide decision-making under pressure.

How do experiential programs such as clinics, externships, and advocacy competitions contribute to professional formation?

“There is no substitute for hands-on learning,” Backer said.

Experiential education allows students to move beyond theoretical discussions and encounter the realities of legal practice firsthand. Whether representing clients in a clinic, participating in advocacy competitions, or working alongside practicing attorneys, students learn the professional expectations that define the legal profession.

“Students quickly discover that professionalism is not optional,” Backer said. “These experiences help develop the habits, judgment, and perspective required in practice.”

What should prospective law students understand about professionalism as they consider where to attend law school?

Backer points to the American Bar Association’s growing emphasis on professional identity formation.

“The ABA now requires law schools to provide substantial opportunities for students to develop a professional identity and understand the values of the legal profession,” she said.

For prospective students, this means evaluating not only academic offerings, but also how a law school prepares graduates to serve clients, interact with colleagues, and uphold the responsibilities of the profession.

“Professionalism is not something students should begin learning after graduation,” Backer said. “It should be part of their legal education from day one.”

Looking Ahead

As the legal profession continues to place greater emphasis on professionalism, civility, and accountability, law schools play an increasingly important role in shaping future attorneys. While regulatory bodies may codify professional expectations, the deeper work of formation begins long before lawyers enter the courtroom.

At Ave Maria School of Law, that formation is rooted in the conviction that professional excellence and personal integrity are not competing goals, but complementary ones. Through the integration of faith and reason, rigorous academics, and practical experience, students are prepared not only to practice law, but to practice it well in service to their clients, their communities, and the common good.