Table of Contents
Certified Foreign Legal Consultants
National Conference of Bar Examiners Application (Part B) Instructions
Practicing Florida Law
The Florida Bar's Foreign Legal Consultancy Rule allows a foreign attorney to be certified in Florida as a Foreign Legal Consultant recognized to advise clients on the laws of the bar under which the attorney is admitted to practice. Chapter 16 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar explains qualifications to certification. Contact the Florida Board of Bar Examiners if you are seeking admittance to practice Florida law.
Certified Foreign Legal Consultants
Please download Part A (Florida Application here) and Part B (NCBE Application here) for certification as a foreign legal consultant in Florida. Also refer to Chapter 16, Foreign Legal Consultancy Rule, and Chapter 4, Rules of Professional Conduct, of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar.
Please read the instructions outlined on Part A carefully before mailing your application. Upon completion, the original + three copies of Part A should be forwarded to Angela Froelich at The Florida Bar, 651 E. Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2300, with accompanying documentation, certificates, letters of recommendation, and a check in the amount of $500, payable to The Florida Bar, along with a copy of your completed Part B. If you have any questions about Part A or your status, please contact Angela Froelich at afroelic@flabar.org.
National Conference of Bar Examiners Application (Part B) Instructions:
Part B, the National Conference of Bar Examiner's application, should be completed online (see link below), along with payment in the amount of $500 to the National Conference of Bar Examiners. After completion and submission of the application you will be required to print a hard copy. (Note: a copy of this application (Part B) must be submitted to The Florida Bar, at the same time you submit the original and 3 copies of Part A.)
Online Request for Preparation of an on-line Character Report - http://www.ncbex.org/ea/.
If you experience problems with the NCBE application, please contact the NCBE at:
National Conference of Bar Examiners
302 South Bedford Street
Madison WI 53703
608-280-8550
support@ncbex.org
Please note that application fees cannot be refunded; therefore, it is incumbent upon applicants to ensure that all questions on the application are answered completely and correctly, and that all additional materials required by the application are furnished. The cooperation of all applicants is greatly appreciated.
The original background investigation by the National Conference of Bar Examiners takes approximately four to six months; however, each application differs in the length of time the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) is able to secure records or reference verification. If you feel your application is taking an unusual length of time to process, please contact the NCBE at (608) 280-8550 to inquire which items might be delaying their report.
Upon receipt of the National Conference of Bar Examiner's Report to The Florida Bar, your completed application will be forwarded to the International Law Section of The Florida Bar for review in accordance with Rule 16-1.4(a), Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. The Review Committee of the International Law Section will review all applications and the NCBE report. This decision-making process by International Law Section of The Florida Bar will take approximately two to three months. If approved by the International Law Section, Florida Supreme Court certification will be requested, and you will be notified of the Court's action as soon as possible.
In accordance with the immigration law of the United States, the certifying committee has determined that a non-immigrant B-2 visa (visitor for pleasure) will be prima facie insufficient for certification. Similarly, a B-1 visa (visitor for business) will be insufficient in most cases to engage in activities as a foreign legal consultant. Applicants with additional questions should seek appropriate professional advice on U.S. immigration law.
Practicing Florida Law
If you are seeking admittance to practice Florida law, you should contact the Florida Board of Bar Examiners below. There are two ways to qualify to file an application with the Florida Board of Bar Examiners:
1) by graduating from an ABA accredited law school or
2) membership in another state bar in the United States.
Florida Board of Bar Examiners
1891 Eider Court
Tallahassee 32399-1750
850/487-1292
http://www.floridabarexam.org
Please note: A member of another state bar of the United States can practice in Florida under certain circumstances. For more information, please call the Unlicensed Practice of Law Department of The Florida Bar at 850/561-5840.