Cone ex rel. Estate of Glaeser v. State Bar of Florida

HILL, Circuit Judge:

This case challenges the constitutionality of the Florida Bar’s Interest On Trust Accounts (IOTA) program, through which certain funds held in lawyers’ trust accounts are placed in interest bearing accounts to produce income for legal aid programs and other public purposes. The parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment, supported by stipulated facts.

In February, 1969, Ms. Evelyn Glaeser retained the law firm of Holland & Knight to probate the estate of her deceased husband. Ms. Glaeser paid a cost deposit of $100 to Holland & Knight, which was placed in a…