Rule 6-15.4 - RECERTIFICATIONThe applicant must satisfy the following requirements for recertification during the 5-year period immediately preceding application.
(a)Substantial Involvement. The applicant must demonstrate continuous and substantial involvement in the field of immigration and nationality law during the period since the last date of certification. On good cause shown, the immigration and nationality law certification committee may waive all or any portion of the substantial involvement requirement if an applicant was or is currently a judge presiding over matters of immigration and nationality law. Substantial involvement means that the applicant has devoted 40 percent or more of the applicant's practice to matters in which issues of immigration and nationality law are significant factors and in which the applicant had substantial and direct participation in those issues. Matters in which issues of immigration and nationality law are significant factors include, but are not limited to, those listed in the minimum standards for initial certification.(b)Education. The applicants must complete 100 credit hours of approved continuing legal education in immigration and nationality law. At least 40 of these hours must be during the 3-year period immediately preceding the application date. Accreditation of educational hours is subject to policies established by the immigration and nationality law certification committee or the board of legal specialization and education.(c)Peer Review. Peer review is conducted under the minimum standards for initial certification. The applicant must submit the names and addresses of 5 lawyers to complete peer review forms who are neither relatives nor current associates or partners, as references to attest to the applicant's reputation for substantial involvement and competence in the field of immigration and nationality law, as well as the applicant's character, ethics, and reputation for professionalism. At least 1 reference must be board certified in immigration and nationality law. The immigration and nationality law certification committee may authorize references from nonlawyers.(d)Examination Requirement. If the immigration and nationality law certification committee determines that the applicant does not meet the standards set forth in subdivision (b) of this rule, the immigration and nationality certification committee may, for good cause shown, require that the applicant pass the examination in lieu thereof.Added Sept. 1, 1994 (631 So.2d 1327). Amended Jan. 26, 1996, by the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar; Amended 10/3/2008 by Board of Governors of The Florida Bar, effective 10/3/2008; amended and effective 12/4/2020 by The Florida Bar Board of Governors; amended and effective 3/15/2024 by The Florida Bar Board of Governors.