The Florida Bar, Complainant v. Lanell Williams-Yulee, Respondent

Summary

The court upheld the referee’s finding that Williams-Yulee violated the judicial-election rule prohibiting a candidate from personally soliciting campaign contributions and rejected her First Amendment challenge to that prohibition. It held that the restriction serves compelling interests in judicial integrity and public confidence in impartiality and is narrowly tailored because candidates may fundraise through campaign committees. The court disapproved the findings concerning an alleged misrepresentation to a reporter for lack of competent, substantial evidence but approved a public reprimand and an award of costs.