Procedures to be followed by Applicants Under
Florida’s Foreign Legal Consultant Rule

Chapter 16, Rules Regulating The Florida Bar

Thank you for your interest in pursuing certification as a Florida Foreign Legal Consultant.  Applying for Foreign Legal Consultant certification is a multi-step process that begins with the National Conference of Bar Examiners (“NCBE”).  Upon receipt of the results of the NCBE background check, the Standing Committee on Foreign Legal Consultants will review each application for completeness and eligibility and make a final recommendation to the Supreme Court of Florida indicating whether or not the applicant should be certified as a Foreign Legal Consultant under the rules regulating The Florida Bar.  Thereafter, the Supreme Court of Florida will determine whether the applicant will be certified; if the applicant is certified, the Supreme Court of Florida will so notify The Florida Bar which, in turn, will notify the applicant and provide the applicant with appropriate evidence of certification. If the applicant fails to be certified by the Supreme Court of Florida, then The Florida Bar will be so advised and will, in turn, so advise the applicant.

To begin the application process, please complete the National Conference of Bar Examiners Character and Fitness Application.  The application must be completed online by visiting www.ncbex.org/character-and-fitness.  Once you have received confirmation from NCBE that your application has been processed and your report has been forwarded to The Florida Bar, you can proceed to complete The Florida Bar Application for Certification as a Foreign Legal Consultant.  To begin The Florida Bar application, please complete the information below.


Have you completed the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) Character & Fitness Application?*
Has your NCBE application been processed and the report provided to The Florida Bar?*
Please indicate the date your NCBE report was forwarded to The Florida Bar*

You cannot proceed with the Florida Bar FLC Application until the NCBE application has been completed and the final report has been forwarded to The Florida Bar.

The NCBE application can be accessed here: https://www.ncbex.org/character-and-fitness

The Florida Bar cannot accept an FLC application without first having received your NCBE final report.  Please contact the NCBE to check on the status of your report, and after the report has been received by The Florida Bar you may resume your FLC application.  Please contact FLC Program Administrator Angie Froelich at 850-561-5633 or afroelich@floridabar.org with any questions.

The NCBE application can be accessed here: https://www.ncbex.org/character-and-fitness

CLICK THE "NEXT" BUTTON AT BOTTOM-RIGHT TO PROCEED TO THE FLORIDA BAR ONLINE FOREIGN LEGAL CONSULTANTS APPLICATION

 

NAME:*
DATE OF BIRTH:*

Employer Address*

 


 

Of what country are you a citizen? If you hold multiple citizenships, please select "MULTIPLE" and enter the countries in the box to the right.

4.  Basis for Admission to the United States:

(B) Date of Issue:*
Date of Expiration*
(D) Have you been issued an alien registration number?*
5. Are you lawfully entitled to reside in and be employed in the United States pursuant to U.S. immigration laws?*

If the previous answer is no, please provide information regarding the status of your U.S. employment authorization application below.

Please upload a copy of your employment authorization document, applicable U.S. visa, or U.S. green card.*
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6. ADMISSION TO PRACTICE LAW IN FOREIGN JURISDICTION:

Is this the jurisdiction for which you're seeking Foreign Legal Consultant certification?*
(A)(II) Date Admitted*
Have you engaged in the practice of law in that jurisdiction since date of admission continuously, without interruption?*
(A)(III) Date Admitted
Have you engaged in the practice of law in that jurisdiction since date of admission continuously, without interruption?
(B) Have you been in good standing in the above jurisdiction(s) throughout the period of your admission?*
(C) Have you ever been disciplined for professional misconduct?*
(D) Have you ever been disbarred or had your license suspended? *
(E) Are any charges of misconduct currently pending against you?*
(F) Do you know of any threatened charges of misconduct against you?*

7. ADMISSION TO U.S. JURISDICTIONS:

(A) Are you presently or have you ever been admitted to practice law in another U.S. jurisdiction?*
(B) Are you presently or have you ever been certified as a Foreign Legal Consultant or in a similar capacity in another U.S. jurisdiction?*

 

8. CHARACTER QUESTIONS:

(A) Have you ever been arrested for and/or charged with a violation of the law either in the U.S. or in any other jurisdiction?*
(A) Attach arrest report and final court disposition*
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(B) Have you ever been denied admission to practice before the courts of any jurisdiction based upon character or fitness?*
(B) Attach relevant documents
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(C) Have you ever been charged with fraud in any legal or administrative proceeding?*
(C) Attach relevant documents*
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(D) Have you ever been a party to a civil lawsuit in which an adverse judgment was rendered against you?*
(D) Attach relevant documents
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(E)(1) Have you ever been examined or treated for mental, emotional or nervous disorders?*
(E)(1) Attach relevant documents
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(E)(2) Have you ever been voluntarily or involuntarily committed to a hospital or institution as a result of mental, emotional or nervous disorders?*
(E)(2) Attach relevant documents
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Additional documentation for any of the questions above may be uploaded in the boxes below:

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APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATION AS A FOREIGN LEGAL CONSULTANT

(PAGE 5 OF 6)

9. ATTACHMENTS: To be complete, the following documentation must be attached to this Application and such documentation is hereby incorporated as a part of this sworn Application. If it is not in English, each document must be accompanied by a duly authenticated English translation, said translation to be effected by a certified translator.



(1) Attach File Here:*
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(1) A duly authenticated certificate from the entity governing the practice of law in each foreign country in which the applicant is licensed to practice, accompanied by the official seal, if any, of such entity and which shall certify:
       (a) the entity’s jurisdiction in such matters;
       (b) the applicant’s admission to practice in such foreign country and the date thereof;
       (c) the applicant’s good standing as an attorney, counselor at law, or the equivalent; and
       (d) whether any charge or complaint has ever been filed against the applicant with such entity, and
            if so, the substance of each such charge or complaint and the adjudication or disposition thereof.



(2) Attach File Here:*
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(2) Duly authenticated certificates from the courts located in each jurisdiction in which the applicant has resided, practiced law, or practiced as a foreign legal consultant, certifying as to the absence of any criminal proceedings, unadjudicated or pending lawsuits, or declarations of bankruptcy filed by or against the applicant in such jurisdiction.



(3) Attach File Here:*
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(3) A letter of recommendation signed by and with the official seal, if any, of one of the members of the executive body of such entity or from one of the judges of the highest court of law of such foreign country, certifying the applicant’s professional qualifications.



(4) Attach File Here:*
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(4) A letter of recommendation from at least two attorneys, counselors at law, or the equivalent admitted in and practicing in such foreign country, setting forth the length of time, when, and under what circumstances they have known the applicant and their appraisal of the applicant’s moral character.



(5) Attach File Here:*
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(5) An Applicant’s Questionnaire and Affidavit for the National Conference of Bar Examiners, and Authorization and Release to The Florida Bar and/or its designee, all on forms furnished by The Florida Bar.



(6) Attach File Here:*
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(6) A letter of recommendation from at least two members in good standing of The Florida Bar, setting forth the length of time, when, and under what circumstances they have known the applicant and their appraisal of the applicant’s moral character.

(6) Attach Additional File Here:
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(6) Attach Additional File Here:
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(6) Attach Additional File Here:
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(6) Attach Additional File Here:
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(7) Attach File Here:*
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(7) A duly acknowledged instrument in writing setting forth the applicant’s address within the State of Florida and designating the Florida Secretary of State as such person’s agent upon whom process may be served, pursuant to applicable Florida law, with like effect as if served personally upon such applicant, in any action or proceeding hereafter brought against the applicant arising out of or based upon any legal services rendered or offered to be rendered by such applicant within or to the residents of the State of Florida whenever, after due diligence, service cannot be made upon such applicant at such address or at such new address as filed by a supplemental instrument.



(8) Attach File Here:*
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(8) A duly acknowledged statement affirming that The Florida Bar will be immediately advised of any lawsuit brought against the applicant that arises out of or is based upon any legal services rendered or offered to be rendered by such applicant within this State.

 

The following affidavits are required to be completed, notarized, and attached as part of this application:

  • Affidavit Regarding Lawsuits Continued Good Standing, And Discipline
  • Designation of Florida Secretary of State for Service of Process
  • Supreme Court of Florida Authorization and Release
  • Affidavit of Complete Application

DOWNLOAD AND PRINT REQUIRED AFFIDAVITS HERE

Please have your signature notarized, apostilled or legalized, and upload in the order indicated below.


UPLOAD AFFIDAVIT REGARDING LAWSUITS CONTINUED GOOD STANDING, AND DISCIPLINE*
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UPLOAD DESIGNATION OF FLORIDA SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS*
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UPLOAD SUPREME COURT OF FLORIDA AUTHORIZATION AND RELEASE*
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UPLOAD AFFIDAVIT OF COMPLETE APPLICATION*
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PAYMENT OF FLC APPLICATION FEE

FLC Application payments can now be made online.  Please click on the link below to access the payment portal and contact Angie Froelich at afroelich@floridabar.org or 850-561-5633 with any questions.


PAYMENT LINK:

https://member.floridabar.org/CPBase__item?id=a101R00000DIpzE#


Please upload your payment receipt here.*
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Payment must be completed and a payment receipt must be uploaded before application can be submitted.  If you cannot locate your receipt please contact Angie Froelich at afroelich@floridabar.org.

 

I have read the foregoing questions and instructions, have answered all questions fully and frankly, and hereby affirm that all of the information provided herein is, of my own knowledge, true and correct. I am aware that I have a duty to advise the Supreme Court of Florida of any circumstances occurring after the date of this application that would affect my responses herein. 


I hereby acknowledge that I have read Rule 16–Foreign Legal Consultancy Rule, in the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, promulgated by the Supreme Court of Florida, and agree to abide by the rules and regulations applicable to such Foreign Legal Consultants. 


In making this application for certification as a Foreign Legal Consultant in the State of Florida, I agree to provide any further information that may be required regarding my past record. I understand that an investigation will be made by The Florida Bar and/or its designee to determine my eligibility for certification, and I hereby authorize such investigation, whether by The Florida Bar, and/or the National Conference of Bar Examiners as their agents. 


I also hereby swear that I (1) have read and am familiar with the Rules of Professional Conduct as adopted by the Supreme Court of Florida and will abide by, and be subject to, the provisions thereof; and (2) hereby submit to the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Florida for disciplinary purposes, as defined in chapter 3 of said Rules and Rule 16-1.6. I also authorize notification to the entity governing the practice of law in the foreign country in which I am licensed to practice, of any disciplinary action taken against me in Florida; and I shall comply with the requirements of Rule 16-1.3(b) regarding disclosure. I hereby commit to notify the Supreme Court of Florida, in writing, of any resignation or revocation of my admission to practice in any foreign country, or in any other state or jurisdiction in which I have been licensed as an attorney, counselor at law, or equivalent, or as a foreign legal consultant, or of any censure, suspension, or expulsion with respect to such admission.


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FOR FLORIDA BAR USE ONLY

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