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Business Litigation Certification

Business Litigation Certification

Definition

Business Litigation Board Certification logo “Business Litigation” is the practice of law dealing with the legal problems arising from commercial and business relationships including litigation of controversies arising from those relationships. “Business litigation law” includes evaluating, handling and resolving such controversies before state courts, federal courts, administrative agencies, mediators, and arbitrators. Matters not qualifying for business litigation include areas of practice dealing with personal injury, routine collection matters, marital and family law, or workers’ compensation. Courts of “general jurisdiction” shall include state circuit courts, federal district courts, and courts of similar jurisdiction in other states, but not county courts.

Summary of Requirements

Minimum standards for business litigation certification, provided in Rule 6-16.3, include:

Practice of law for at least five years;
Substantial involvement in the specialty of business litigation – 30% or more – during the five years immediately preceding application;
Handling of at least 25 contested business litigation matters during the five years immediately preceding application, including at least eight submitted to the trier of fact (summary judgments not considered);
Handling of at least one business litigation jury trial during the 10 years immediately preceding application (an approved Advance Trial Advocacy Course may replace this requirement);
50 hours of approved business litigation certification continuing legal education in the three years immediately preceding application;
Peer review; and,
A written examination.

Thinking of Becoming Board Certified? Download the Informational Flyer.

Board Certification Applications for Lawyers

All applicants for board certification or recertification should carefully read the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar (Rules) and be sure you have met each of the requirements prior to filing your application. Unless the Rules provide for a waiver of a specific requirement, each of the requirements must be met by the dates indicated in the rule.

Currently Certified? Recertification Information for 2020

If you were originally certified in 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, or 2015 you are due to file your recertification application in 2020. The application for recertification must be postmarked by January 31, 2021. All requirements for recertification are to be completed by this date.

Get Certified – Seeking Certification

The filing period for the initial application opens September 1, 2020. Applications must be postmarked by October 31, 2020. You must apply in this filing period to be considered for eligibility for the 2021 exam. If you’re eligible from a previous application, you may file the short application. Carefully read the rules for initial certification to determine if you will meet the requirements.