Rule 6-29.3 - MINIMUM STANDARDS(a) Substantial Involvement. The applicant must have been substantially engaged in the practice of law for at least 5 years immediately preceding the application date by providing examples of service as the lead advocate on behalf of a governmental entity, child, parent, guardian, foster parent, or child's relative with standing to litigate in a minimum of 10 fully adjudicated trials or appellate proceedings arising from petitions for dependency, termination of parental rights, or delinquency. The juvenile law certification committee may substitute other experience in juvenile law for trials or appellate proceedings for good cause shown. This experience may include, but is not limited to:
(1) handling school issues, including disciplinary issues and educational planning matters, participating in placement determinations, and the development of treatment and alternative plans;(2) dealing with matters relating to governmental benefits;(3) advocacy after termination of parental rights;(4) advocacy before the Florida Department of Children and Families or other agencies;(5) advocacy in juvenile delinquency matters other than trial or appellate proceedings;(6) representation at administrative proceedings; and(7) resolving health care matters.(b) Peer Review.(1)Lawyer References. The applicant must submit the names and addresses of 6 lawyers who are neither relatives nor current associates or partners nor who practice in the same governmental entity as the applicant to complete peer review forms. At least 4 of the references must be members of The Florida Bar. Individuals serving as references must have experience in juvenile law and be sufficiently familiar with the applicant to attest to the applicant's special competence in juvenile law, as well as the applicant's character, ethics, and reputation for professionalism in the practice of law. The board of legal specialization and education and the juvenile law certification committee may authorize references from nonlawyers.(2)Judicial References. The applicant must submit the name and address of 1 judge before whom the applicant has appeared in a juvenile law matter within the 5-year period immediately preceding application to complete a peer review form. (c) Education. The applicant must demonstrate completion of 50 credit hours of approved continuing legal education in juvenile law during the 3-year period immediately preceding the date of application. Accreditation of educational hours is subject to policies established by the juvenile law certification committee or the board of legal specialization and education.(d) Examination. The applicant must pass an examination administered uniformly to all applicants to demonstrate sufficient knowledge, proficiency, experience, and professionalism in juvenile law to justify the representation of special competence to the legal profession and the public. New subchapter added May 21, 2015, corrected June 25, 2015, effective 10/1/2015 (SC14-2107); amended and effective 12/4/2020 by The Florida Bar Board of Governors.