{"meta":{"dataset":"filing","title":"What US state bars charge, and require, to file or review lawyer advertising","version":"1.2.0","doi":"10.5281/zenodo.23721409","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23721409","conceptDoi":"10.5281/zenodo.23656745","license":"CC BY 4.0","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","attribution":"Source: Probative, What US state bars charge, and require, to file or review lawyer advertising, version 1.2.0, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23721409, licensed CC BY 4.0.","citation":"Probative. (2026). What US state bars charge, and require, to file or review lawyer advertising (Version 1.2.0) [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23721409","disclaimer":"Not legal advice. This is a plain-English summary of public sources, kept for marketing planning, and rules change. Check with your state bar and your own counsel before you run an ad.","notice":"Probative is a marketing firm, not a law firm; not legal advice.","lastChecked":"2026-10-25","url":"https://probativegrowth.com/data/v1/filing/jurisdictions/FL.json","humanUrl":"https://probativegrowth.com/research/lawyer-ad-filing-fees/","statusCodes":{"P":"primary source","S":"secondary source","D":"ABA model default","U":"open question"}},"key":"FL","records":[{"id":"fl-ad-filing","dataset":"filing","jurisdiction":"FL","jurisdictionName":"Florida","status":"P","text":"Florida: lawyers must file their ads with a bar or court office, before the ad first runs. The standard fee is $250 per ad.","value":250,"unit":"USD per advertisement","effectiveFrom":"2026-07-01","effectiveTo":null,"fips":"12","category":"files_ads","category_label":"Ads must be filed with a bar or court office","filing_required":"yes","ad_types_filed":"All advertisements unless exempt under Rule 4-7.20: TV, radio, print and internet ads (other than the lawyer's own website) must be filed unless limited to safe-harbor content in Rule 4-7.16; exemptions include websites, law lists/bar publications, communications to existing/former clients and lawyers, requested communications, announcement cards, sponsorship announcements, and legal aid organization ads.","solicitation_filing":"Unsolicited direct mail and direct email advertisements must always be filed at least 20 days before use; the safe-harbor (tombstone) exemption does not apply to them.","timing":"before_first_use","timing_detail":"At least 20 days before first dissemination; the Bar responds within 15 days of a complete filing.","fee_standard_usd":250,"fee_expedited_usd":null,"expedited_available":"no","late_fee_usd":750,"late_fee_detail":"$750 per advertisement filed less than 20 days before first use (instead of $250). A change-of-circumstances re-filing carries an additional fee not to exceed $100.","advisory_fee_usd":250,"advisory_detail":"Preliminary opinions on drafts/scripts (4-7.19(c)) and advisory opinions on exempt ads or specific website pages (4-7.19(d)) require 'the fee specified in this rule'; the Bar FAQ says the filing fee must be paid for a website-page submission.","fee_effective_date":"2026-07-01","portal_or_method":"Online Ad Submission via the MyFloridaBar Member Portal (effective July 2026), or mail/overnight to the Ethics and Advertising Department, 651 E Jefferson St, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2300 with a check; no email filings.","portal_url":"https://www.floridabar.org/ethics/etad/advertising-filing-requirements/","retention":"Retain a copy or recording of each advertisement for 3 years after its last dissemination, with a record of when and where it was used; for identical ads sent to 2+ prospective clients, retain one copy plus the list of names and addresses of recipients for 3 years.","retention_years":3,"rule_cite":"R. Regulating Fla. Bar 4-7.19, 4-7.20","rules_effective":"2025-07-14","unknown_fields":[],"state_page":"https://probativegrowth.com/locations/florida/","coverage":"verified","days_before_first_use_required":20,"days_after_first_use_allowed":null,"review_response_days":15,"advance_opinion_lead_days":null,"days_detail":"File at least 20 days before first use. The Bar’s own page allows a 15-day evaluation period (and 5 days for mailing) within those 20 days.","ad_review_fy":"2024-25","ad_review_count":3000,"ad_review_resubmissions":null,"ad_review_basis":"lower_bound","ad_review_volumes":[{"fy":"2013-14","ads_reviewed":3715,"resubmissions":null,"basis":"exact","measure":"ads submitted to the Bar","source_label":"The Florida Bar News, 'Bar reviewing more lawyer ads' (31 Jul 2019), Ethics and Advertising Department figures","source_url":"https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/bar-reviewing-more-lawyer-ads/","quote":"In 2013-14, a total of 3,715 ads were submitted to the Bar","source_read":"2026-10-28","checked_by":"script","note":"The article gives resubmissions only as a range for the five years to 2018-19 (1,000 to 1,872 a year), not for this year."},{"fy":"2018-19","ads_reviewed":4467,"resubmissions":1216,"basis":"exact","measure":"ads reviewed, 1 Jul 2018 to 30 Jun 2019, including lawyer referral services' ads; resubmissions are revised ads reviewed again, not in the count","source_label":"The Florida Bar News, 'Bar reviewing more lawyer ads' (31 Jul 2019), Ethics and Advertising Department figures","source_url":"https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/bar-reviewing-more-lawyer-ads/","quote":"4,467 ads were reviewed from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019","resubmissions_quote":"Last year, 1,216 ads were revised and reviewed again.","source_read":"2026-10-28","checked_by":"script","note":"The Bar called it the highest of any year except 1992, when the program began."},{"fy":"2024-25","ads_reviewed":3000,"resubmissions":null,"basis":"lower_bound","measure":"advertisements reviewed in 'the last fiscal year' (the article is dated 23 Apr 2026, so we read it as the year ended 30 Jun 2025)","source_label":"The Florida Bar News, 'Updates to the lawyer advertisement review program are on the way' (23 Apr 2026)","source_url":"https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/updates-to-the-lawyer-advertisement-review-program-are-on-the-way/","quote":"the 3,000+ advertisements reviewed in the last fiscal year","source_read":"2026-10-28","checked_by":"script","note":"A floor, not a count. The Standing Committee on Advertising's own annual reports (2024-25 and 2025-26) give no number."}],"sources":[{"label":"Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Rule 4-7.19(a) (RRTFB June 30, 2026, Florida Bar PDF)","url":"https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/06/2026_12-JUNE-Chapter-4-RRTFB-1.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-25","quote":"Subject to the exemptions stated in rule 4-7.20, any lawyer who advertises services must file with The Florida Bar a copy of each advertisement at least 20 days prior to the lawyer’s first dissemination of the advertisement.","field":"filing_required","checkedBy":"script"},{"label":"Florida Bar, Lawyer Advertising Filing Requirements page","url":"https://www.floridabar.org/ethics/etad/advertising-filing-requirements/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-25","quote":"All required filings must be submitted for review at least 20 days before the first use of the advertisement to allow for a 15-day evaluation period and 5 days mailing time.","field":"timing","checkedBy":"script"},{"label":"Florida Bar, Lawyer Advertising Filing Requirements page","url":"https://www.floridabar.org/ethics/etad/advertising-filing-requirements/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-25","quote":"Television, radio, print, and internet advertisements (except for lawyer or law firm websites) must be filed for review with the bar at its headquarters address at least 20 days before their first use","field":"ad_types","checkedBy":"script"},{"label":"Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Rule 4-7.20 (RRTFB June 30, 2026)","url":"https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/06/2026_12-JUNE-Chapter-4-RRTFB-1.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-25","quote":"(d) a communication mailed only to existing clients, former clients, or other lawyers; (e) a written or recorded communication requested by a prospective client;","field":"ad_types","checkedBy":"script"},{"label":"Florida Bar, Lawyer Advertising Filing Requirements page","url":"https://www.floridabar.org/ethics/etad/advertising-filing-requirements/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-25","quote":"All unsolicited direct mail and direct email advertisements must be filed for review at least 20 days before their planned use.","field":"solicitation_filing","checkedBy":"script"},{"label":"Florida Bar, Lawyer Advertising Filing Requirements page","url":"https://www.floridabar.org/ethics/etad/advertising-filing-requirements/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-25","quote":"a check made payable to The Florida Bar including $250 for each advertisement timely filed (at least 20 days in advance of first use) and $750 for each advertisement filed late","field":"fee_standard","checkedBy":"script"},{"label":"Florida Bar, Lawyer Advertising FAQ","url":"https://www.floridabar.org/ethics/etad/faqexpand/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-25","quote":"The filing fee is $250 for advertisements timely filed and $750 for advertisements that are not timely filed.","field":"late_fee","checkedBy":"script"},{"label":"Florida Bar, Advertising Regulation and Information page","url":"https://www.floridabar.org/ethics/etad/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-25","quote":"effective July 1, 2026 , the advertisement filing fees are changing to $250 for each timely filed advertisement (filed 20 days or more in advance of the intended use) and $750 for each late filed advertisement.","field":"fee_effective_date","checkedBy":"script"},{"label":"Florida Bar, Lawyer Advertising FAQ","url":"https://www.floridabar.org/ethics/etad/faqexpand/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-25","quote":"Can I get an expedited opinion? No. While we appreciate the importance of your advertisement to your business, due to the volume of advertisements submitted","field":"fee_expedited","checkedBy":"script"},{"label":"Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Rule 4-7.19(c) Preliminary Opinions","url":"https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/06/2026_12-JUNE-Chapter-4-RRTFB-1.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-25","quote":"a description of any visual images to be used in the advertisement, and the fee specified in this rule.","field":"advisory_fee","checkedBy":"script"},{"label":"Florida Bar, Lawyer Advertising FAQ (website page submissions)","url":"https://www.floridabar.org/ethics/etad/faqexpand/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-25","quote":"You must pay the filing fee and include all of the information required under Rule 4-7.19(h) to have a complete filing.","field":"advisory_fee","checkedBy":"script"},{"label":"Florida Bar, Lawyer Advertising Filing Requirements page","url":"https://www.floridabar.org/ethics/etad/advertising-filing-requirements/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-25","quote":"Effective July 2026, filings may be submitted via the MyFloridaBar Member Portal .","field":"portal","checkedBy":"script"},{"label":"Florida Bar, Lawyer Advertising Filing Requirements page","url":"https://www.floridabar.org/ethics/etad/advertising-filing-requirements/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-25","quote":"Mailed or overnighted packages must be sent to: Ethics and Advertising Department, The Florida Bar, 651 E Jefferson St, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2300.","field":"portal","checkedBy":"script"},{"label":"Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Rule 4-7.19(j)","url":"https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/06/2026_12-JUNE-Chapter-4-RRTFB-1.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-25","quote":"the lawyer must retain a copy or recording for 3 years after its last dissemination along with a record of when and where it was used.","field":"retention","checkedBy":"script"},{"label":"Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Rule 4-7.19(h)(8)","url":"https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/06/2026_12-JUNE-Chapter-4-RRTFB-1.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-25","quote":"a fee paid to The Florida Bar, in an amount set by the bar’s executive director as approved by the Board of Governors.","field":"fee_standard","checkedBy":"script"},{"label":"Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Rule 4-7.19 history note","url":"https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/06/2026_12-JUNE-Chapter-4-RRTFB-1.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-25","quote":"Adopted January 31, 2013, effective May 1, 2013 (108 So.3d 609); amended and effective September 9, 2021 (SC21-775); amended May 15, 2025, effective July 14, 2025 (SC2025-0018).","field":"filing_required","checkedBy":"script"},{"label":"Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Rule 4-7.19(a) (RRTFB June 30, 2026, Florida Bar PDF)","url":"https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/06/2026_12-JUNE-Chapter-4-RRTFB-1.pdf","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-25","quote":"Subject to the exemptions stated in rule 4-7.20, any lawyer who advertises services must file with The Florida Bar a copy of each advertisement at least 20 days prior to the lawyer’s first dissemination of the advertisement.","field":"days_to_air","checkedBy":"script"},{"label":"Florida Bar, Lawyer Advertising Filing Requirements page","url":"https://www.floridabar.org/ethics/etad/advertising-filing-requirements/","kind":"primary","accessed":"2026-10-25","quote":"All required filings must be submitted for review at least 20 days before the first use of the advertisement to allow for a 15-day evaluation period and 5 days mailing time.","field":"days_to_air","checkedBy":"script"}],"lastChecked":"2026-10-25","note":"Fees are per advertisement; any change to an ad makes it a new ad with a new fee (Board of Governors policy), except revisions made solely to comply with a Bar noncompliance opinion. The rule itself no longer states dollar amounts; it delegates the fee to the executive director with Board approval (4-7.19(h)(8), amended by SC2025-0018 effective July 14, 2025). Fee of $250/$750 applies to ads post-marked or electronically submitted on or after July 1, 2026 (previously $150/$250 per secondary reports, not verified here). rules_effective reflects the latest amendment of 4-7.19/4-7.20 (July 14, 2025). Advisory fee recorded as the standard $250 filing fee because the rule refers to 'the fee specified in this rule'; no separate advisory fee amount was found. No expedited review is offered (FAQ).","confidence":"high","confidenceBasis":"primary source; checked within 90 days; two primary sources"}]}