In memoriam: Russell Troutman, bar president 1977-1978.

• Author: Harkness, John F., Jr.
• Position: Florida Bar - Obituary

Russell Troutman died in May at the age of 81 from Alzheimer's disease. His year as president of The Florida Bar was marked by bellwether change for the legal profession, and his last Florida Bar Journal President's Page in May 1978 began with "advertising, discipline, and specialization," three of the pivotal issues that surfaced during his presidency

Bates and O'Steen v. State Bar of Arizona was a 1977 decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, in which it upheld the right of lawyers to advertise their services. Russell said that "more blood was spilled over this issue than any other" as the Board of Governors adopted, amended, and rescinded guidelines during five consecutive meetings. He was skeptical of attorney advertising and felt it was "highly doubtful that lawyer advertising will work to the benefit of the consumer" and will be "a monster to regulate." Some would agree with his prediction.

Lawyer discipline was thoroughly overhauled during his presidency with long debate over confidentiality and immunity. Russell wanted the public to be assured the Bar was aggressive in its disciplinary program but at the same time "protect the valuable reputation of the lawyers who are eventually acquitted." He supported the addition of nonlawyers to circuit disciplinary committees. "With lay people in the system, public confidence will be enhanced ....My investigation [into other states' inclusion of nonlawyers in the disciplinary process] reveals you have little to fear; but to the contrary, have every reason to believe the accused lawyer will not be prejudiced in receiving a fair hearing, but public confidence will be strengthened, and the image of the Florida lawyer improved."

"Specialization," as it was called in 1978, was a program he believed a "positive step forward" for Florida's attorneys. During his year, tax and trial certification plans were approved.

His column went on to mention the Florida Supreme Court's approval of the Bar's petition for the deposit of lawyer trust funds in interest-bearing accounts. "There is little doubt it will...