Twentieth Judicial Circuit · M.D. Fla., Fort Myers Division
Local counsel in Lee County.
Southwest Florida draws construction, insurance and property disputes from out-of-state firms year round. Whether your matter is in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit or in federal court, the admission mechanics differ — and in state court both of them need a Florida lawyer to press “file.”
Do I need local counsel in Lee County?
Yes for state court. A case in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit or the Lee County Court is a Florida state case, so Rule 2.510(a) applies in full: a verified motion, a Florida Bar member associated as attorney of record, $250 to The Florida Bar and $100 to the clerk. For federal purposes Lee County sits in the Middle District of Florida, Fort Myers Division — which does not require local counsel at all.
Twentieth Judicial Circuit — state
Middle District of Florida, Fort Myers Division — federal
What I cover in Lee County
Admission
I sign and file the verified motion in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit.
Hearings
Motion calendar, special-set hearings, case management and status conferences in Fort Myers — without a flight from your city.
Filings
Portal formatting, service under Rule 2.516, deadline computation under Rule 2.514, and division-specific practices.
Lee County questions
Do I need local counsel in Lee County?
Yes for state court. A case in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit or the Lee County Court is a Florida state case, so Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.510(a) applies in full: a verified motion, a Florida Bar member associated as attorney of record, $250 to The Florida Bar and $100 to the clerk.
For federal cases, Lee County sits in the Middle District of Florida, Fort Myers Division. That district does not require local counsel — I will tell you so rather than take an engagement you do not need.
Which judicial circuit is Lee County in?
Lee County is in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit — which also covers Collier, Charlotte, Glades and Hendry Counties. The Twentieth Circuit is one of the largest by area, covering five counties from Charlotte down to Collier.
Who files the pro hac vice motion in Lee County?
Local counsel does, in state court. Until The Florida Bar issues your pro hac vice number, every document — including the motion that would admit you — must be e-filed through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal by the Florida attorney designated in the motion.
Can you cover a hearing in Fort Myers?
Yes — motion calendar, special-set hearings, case management and status conferences, depositions, and second chair at trial, quoted per appearance. Travel outside Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade is identified separately in the quote rather than buried in the rate.
A Lee County matter?
Send the case number and the next hearing date. Conflicts run first, a quote in writing, an answer within one business day.
Retain local counsel in Lee County
Case number, parties, and the next hearing date.