Rule 6-17.3 - MINIMUM STANDARDS(a) Minimum Period of Practice. The applicant must have been engaged in the practice of law in the United States or engaged in the practice of United States law while in a foreign country and been a member in good standing of the bar of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia for period of 5 years as of the application date. Receipt of an LL.M degree in admiralty law, ocean law, maritime law or other related fields approved by the board of legal specialization and education and admiralty law certification committee from an approved law school may substitute for 1 year of the practice of law for purposes of the 5-year practice requirement but not the 5-year bar membership requirement.
(b) Substantial Involvement. The applicant must demonstrate substantial involvement in the practice of admiralty and maritime law during the 5 years immediately preceding the application date, including devoting not less than 35 percent to admiralty and maritime law during each of the 3 years immediately preceding the application date. The admiralty and maritime law certification committee or the board of legal specialization and education may waive the requirement that the 3 years be "immediately preceding" the application date for good cause shown at the applicant's request. Receipt of an LL.M degree in admiralty law, ocean law, maritime law, or other degree containing substantial admiralty and maritime law content as approved by the board of legal specialization and education from an approved law school may substitute for 1 year of substantial involvement, except for the 3 years immediately preceding the application date. The applicant must furnish information concerning the frequency of work and the nature of issues involved. Time devoted to lecturing or authoring books or articles on admiralty and maritime law if the applicant was engaged in the practice of law during that time period. The practice of law which otherwise satisfies these requirements but which is on a part-time basis satisfies the substantial involvement requirement. Demonstration of compliance with this requirement shall be made initially through a form of questionnaire approved by the admiralty law certification committee, but written or oral supplementation may be required. (c) Peer Review. The applicant must submit the names and addresses of 5 lawyers who are familiar with the applicant's practice, not including attorneys who currently practice in the applicant's law firm, to complete peer review forms. At least 2 references must be board certified in admiralty and maritime law or have an established and recognized admiralty and maritime law practice. The board of legal specialization and education and admiralty law certification committee may authorize references from nonlawyers.(d) Education. The applicant must demonstrate completion of 50 credit hours of approved continuing legal education in admiralty and maritime law during the 3-year period immediately preceding the application date.(e) Examination. The applicant must pass an examination, applied uniformly to all applicants, that will be practical and comprehensive and designed to demonstrate special knowledge, skills, and proficiency in admiralty and maritime law topics including jurisdiction, procedure, personal injury and wrongful death, marine insurance, and other topics as may be selected by the admiralty certification committee.Added July 20, 1995 (658 So.2d 930). Amended Dec. 11, 1998, by the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar; amended and effective 12/4/2020 by The Florida Bar Board of Governors; amended and effective 12/3/2021 by The Florida Bar Board of Governors.