Case ID: so3d_232/html/0271-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "LAWSON, J.,", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

IN RE: AMENDMENTS TO the RULES REGULATING the FLORIDA BAR—CHAPTER 21 MILITARY SPOUSE AUTHORIZATION TO ENGAGE IN the PRACTICE OF LAW IN FLORIDA In re: Amendments to the Rules of the Supreme Court Relating to Admissions to the Bar
    CASE NOS.: SC17-156 & SC17-230
    Supreme Court of Florida.
    DECEMBER 14, 2017
   The Florida Bar has filed a petition to amend the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar to include new rules that establish a process by which the spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces stationed in Florida may obtain authorization to practice law in Florida without taking the Florida Bar Exam. In a companion petition, the Florida Board of Bar Examiners proposes amending the Rules of the Supreme Court Relating to Admissions to the Bar to include a new rule that sets out the application fee a person seeking authorization under the Bar’s proposal must pay.

The Court having considered the proposed amendments, and the comment filed, both petitions are. hereby dismissed. The Bar and the Board are directed to file a joint petition within ninety days' of the date of this order that imposes additional restrictions on those requesting authorization to practice law in Florida as the spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces. .Such restrictions must include a time limit on the duration of the authorization and must require that all persons who receive authorization associate, either through participation in a law firm or through mentorship, with a member of the Bar who is eligible to practice law in Florida for the duration of the authorization.

LABARGA, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, and POLSTON, JJ„ concur.

LAWSON, J., dissents with an opinion, in which CANADY, J., concurs.

LAWSON, J.,

dissenting.

As proposed, these rules would allow the spouse of a member of our United States Armed Forces to practice law in Florida only while his or her spouse is on active duty and stationed in Florida or on an unaccompanied or remote assignment with no dependents authorized after being transferred from Florida; only while the spouse is living with his or her spouse in Florida (with the unaccompanied or remote assignment exception); and only, if the spouse first establishes his or her character and fitness to the satisfaction of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners (and, by extension, this Court). In addition, the spouse must have graduated from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; have successfully passed another state’s written bar examination; and have been successfully admitted to practice in another U.S. jurisdiction. Significantly, the spouse, is not eligible for special admission under the proposed rules if he or she is- not a member of the bar in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the spouse has practiced law' previously, is subject to lawyer discipline in-.any other jurisdiction, or is even the subject' of a pending disciplinary matter in any other jurisdiction. If admitted, the spouse is required to be affiliated with and mentored, by a member of The Florida Bar, unless he or she has successfully completed three or more years of active practice in another U.S. jurisdiction. Finally, the spouse will be. subject to the disciplinary jurisdiction of The Florida, Bar and this Court. These requirements, and others,, suitably protect the public, Accordingly, I would adopt the rules, as proposed, for the good and sufficient reason that they appropriately give form to the gratitude that we should all share for the sacrifices made each day by timóse serving in our Armed Forces, and by their families. . .

CANADY, J., concurs. 
      
      . The proposed rule" would allow the spouse to obtain admission prior to moving to Florida, but only if he or she provides evidence of intent to reside in Florida with his or her spouse within six months.