The Florida Bar

Foreign Legal Consultant Rule and Certification

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Introduction

The Florida Bar’s Foreign Legal Consultancy Rule allows a foreign attorney to be certified in Florida as a Foreign Legal Consultant (FLC) recognized to advise clients on the laws of the bar under which the attorney is admitted to practice. The Rules Regulating The Florida Bar: Chapter 16 explains qualifications for certification. Pursuant to Rule 1601.4(c)(1), applicants should also refer to the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar: Chapter 4, Rules of Professional Conduct.

FLC certification is a multi-step process that involves two applications:

  1. A National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) application and,
  2. A Florida Bar application.

To begin the application process, you must first complete the National Conference of Bar Examiners Character and Fitness Application.

Once you have received confirmation from the NCBE that your application has been processed and a character and fitness report has been forwarded to The Florida Bar, you can then proceed to complete The Florida Bar Application for Certification as a Foreign Legal Consultant.

A Florida Bar application will not be accepted by The Florida Bar until the Bar has received the NCBE report.

Upon receipt of the results of the NCBE background check and your completed Florida Bar Application, The Florida Bar International Law Section’s Foreign Legal Consultant Committee will review each application for completeness and eligibility, and if all criteria are met, make a final recommendation to the Supreme Court of Florida indicating that the applicant should be certified as a Foreign Legal Consultant under the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar.

Certified Foreign Legal Consultants

Find a Certified Foreign Legal Consultant

Practicing Law in Florida

If you are seeking admittance to practice Florida law, you should contact the Florida Board of Bar Examiners. 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, FL 32399-1750
850-487-1292