Florida Ethics, Public Records, and Government in the Sunshine Law

The Woodring Law Firm has significant experience with Florida’s ethics laws and with the Public Records and Government in the Sunshine laws, and handles these matters throughout Florida. Mr. Woodring has provided legal advice on these topics at the highest levels of Florida government, and has litigated significant cases covering these legal areas. Before returning to private practice, he served for almost five years as General Counsel of the Florida Department of Education, was the first General Counsel of the Florida Board of Governors, and served as counsel in the Executive Office of the Governor.

To discuss an ethics, public records, or Sunshine Law matter anywhere in Florida, call 850-567-8445 or use the contact form on this page.

Ethics Laws and Complaints

If you are a state or local government employee, an elected official, a state officer, or sit on a governmental board or council, you need to pay close attention to the laws and regulations that establish the ethical requirements for your position, including the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees (Part III, Chapter 112, Florida Statutes). If an ethics complaint is filed against you, under some circumstances the governmental entity will provide an attorney to represent you, but in many situations you will be responsible for obtaining your own counsel, even when you may later be entitled to a reimbursement of fees for obtaining your own legal counsel.

We advise public officers, public employees, and candidates on the subjects the Code of Ethics covers, including:

• Financial disclosure
• Gifts
• Conflicts of interest and voting conflicts
• Post-employment (“revolving door”) restrictions
• Requests for advisory opinions from the Commission on Ethics

We can represent you in defending any complaints that are filed with the Florida Commission on Ethics, whether before the Commission, or in a hearing before an administrative law judge at the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH), or on appeal to the District Courts of Appeal. We often can also help with litigating or defending against an award of attorney fees based on the outcome of an ethics complaint.

Public Records

Florida’s public records law (chapter 119, Florida Statutes) and its open meetings law, the Government in the Sunshine Law (section 286.011, Florida Statutes), are among the broadest in the country. Even so, there are more than 1,000 exemptions from the public records laws, and this does not count the situations in which state law is preempted by a federal requirement. Depending on the merits, we represent both individuals and businesses attempting to obtain public records, and governmental entities (charter schools are subject to public records) and vendors responding to public records requests. For agencies and records custodians, we advise on responding to requests, applying exemptions and redacting exempt information, and records retention.

Government in the Sunshine

The Government in the Sunshine Law governs when meetings must be open and noticed, and when members of a governmental body can discuss a matter outside of a noticed meeting. Depending on the merits of the case, we challenge or defend actions under the Sunshine Law on behalf of clients. If a governmental entity has not followed the Sunshine Law, actions it has taken in violation of the law may be void. We also advise boards on notice, minutes, and the limited circumstances in which a board may meet in a closed session, such as an attorney-client session on pending litigation (section 286.011(8), Florida Statutes).

Talk to Us About an Ethics, Public Records, or Sunshine Law Matter

Please talk to us if you need counsel on an ethics matter or need to prosecute or defend a case under the Public Records or Government in the Sunshine laws. In some situations a prevailing party may be entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees. Call 850-567-8445, email Info@woodringlawfirm.com, or use the contact form on this page.

Common Questions About Ethics, Public Records, and Sunshine Law

Does Woodring Law Firm handle ethics, public records, and Sunshine Law matters throughout Florida?

Yes. We handle matters under Florida’s ethics laws and the Public Records and Government in the Sunshine laws throughout Florida.

Can the firm defend me against a complaint filed with the Florida Commission on Ethics?

We can represent you before the Commission, in a hearing before an administrative law judge at the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH), or on appeal to the District Courts of Appeal.

Will the government provide an attorney if an ethics complaint is filed against me?

Under some circumstances the governmental entity will provide an attorney to represent you, but in many situations you will be responsible for obtaining your own counsel, even when you may later be entitled to a reimbursement of fees.

Does the firm represent people seeking public records, or agencies responding to requests?

Both. Depending on the merits, we represent individuals and businesses attempting to obtain public records, and governmental entities, including public charter schools or vendors responding to public records requests.

What happens if a governmental body does not follow the Government in the Sunshine Law?

Actions it has taken in violation of the Sunshine requirements may be void. In some situations a prevailing party may be entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees.