Family Relations Law Board Certification by the Ohio Bar

The Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) offers certification for attorneys specializing in Family Relations Law. This certification process is designed to ensure that certified attorneys have demonstrated substantial expertise and involvement in this specialized area of law. Below are the key requirements for obtaining board certification in Family Relations Law:

Substantial Involvement

• Professional Experience: Applicants must have engaged in at least 2,400 hours of practice in Family Relations Law over the four years preceding their application. Additionally, they must have been licensed to practice law for a minimum of six years. Applicants must also show that at least 35% of their full-time practice, equating to 728 hours per year, was devoted to Family Relations Law in the three years immediately preceding the application.

• Case Demonstration: As part of the application, attorneys must list three cases from the previous three years that best demonstrate their substantial involvement in Family Relations Law. They are required to provide detailed descriptions of these cases, explaining how they reflect the applicant's expertise in the field.

Peer Review and Recommendations

• References: Applicants must submit the names of seven references who are familiar with their competence in Family Relations Law. At least one reference must be from a judge or magistrate. These references must not be related to or professionally associated with the applicant.

• Recommendation Forms: The OSBA will send recommendation forms to these references. At least five completed forms must be returned for the application to be considered complete. References should come from attorneys already certified in Family Relations Law, sitting judges, or attorneys who meet the substantial involvement requirement.

Written Examination

• Exam Requirements: Applicants must pass a written examination that assesses their knowledge and skills in substantive and procedural law specific to Family Relations Law. The exam covers various topics including, but not limited to, dispute resolution, child support, spousal support, division of property, and ethics in Family Relations Law.

• Exam Preparation and Grading: The examination is prepared and graded under the supervision of an independent testing service, ensuring an objective evaluation of the applicant's capabilities.

Good Standing and Liability Insurance

• Good Standing: Applicants must provide proof that they are in good standing with the Ohio Supreme Court, free of any disciplinary actions that would question their fitness to practice law.

• Liability Insurance: Applicants must maintain professional liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $500,000 per loss. This insurance provides a safety net, ensuring that applicants can handle any professional liabilities that may arise.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE)

• CLE Requirements: Applicants must have completed 36 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) in Family Relations Law within the three years preceding the application. These CLE courses must be of intermediate or advanced level to ensure that the applicant is current with the latest developments in the field.

These requirements ensure that only attorneys with significant experience and expertise in Family Relations Law receive board certification, thereby maintaining high standards in the legal profession.

The Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) offers a thorough and rigorous application process for attorneys seeking board certification in Family Relations Law. This process is designed to ensure that applicants meet the high standards required for certification, demonstrating substantial experience and expertise in this specialized field. Below are the key steps and components involved in the application process:

1. Completion of the Application Form

• Detailed Information Required: Applicants must complete a comprehensive application form provided by the OSBA. This form requires detailed information about the attorney’s professional background, including years of practice, specific experience in Family Relations Law, and a demonstration of substantial involvement in the field.
• Case Listings: As part of the application, attorneys are required to list three cases from the past three years that best demonstrate their expertise and involvement in Family Relations Law. These cases must be described in detail, with explanations of the attorney's role and the complexity of the issues handled.

2. Peer Review and Recommendations

• Reference Submission: Applicants must provide the names of seven references who can attest to their competence in Family Relations Law. These references should include at least one judge or magistrate familiar with the applicant’s work. The references must not be related to or professionally associated with the applicant.
• Recommendation Forms: The OSBA will send out recommendation forms to these references. For the application to be considered complete, at least five completed recommendation forms must be returned to the OSBA. The Specialty Board may also request additional recommendations if necessary.

3. Written Examination

• Exam Content: Applicants are required to pass a written examination that assesses their knowledge and skills in substantive and procedural law related to Family Relations Law. The exam includes topics such as dispute resolution, child support, spousal support, division of property, and professional ethics within the context of family law.
• Preparation and Grading: The examination is designed and graded by an independent testing service to ensure fairness and objectivity. The test evaluates the applicant's practical knowledge and ability to apply legal principles in real-world scenarios.

4. Good Standing and Liability Coverage

• Proof of Good Standing: Applicants must provide evidence that they are in good standing with the Ohio Supreme Court, indicating that they have no pending disciplinary actions that could question their fitness to practice law.
• Professional Liability Insurance: Applicants must demonstrate that they maintain professional liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $500,000 per loss. This insurance is essential to protect against claims that may arise in the course of their legal practice.

5. Disclosure of Disciplinary Actions

• Full Disclosure Required: Applicants are required to disclose any past or current disciplinary actions, malpractice claims, or felony convictions. Non-disclosure of such information may result in rejection of the application or decertification if discovered after certification.

6. Continuing Legal Education (CLE)

• CLE Requirements: Applicants must have completed 36 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) specifically in Family Relations Law within the three years preceding their application. These courses must be of intermediate to advanced level, ensuring that the attorney remains up-to-date with the latest developments in the field.

Submission and Review

Once all components of the application are completed, the materials are submitted to the OSBA. The Family Relations Law Specialty Board reviews the application, references, and exam results. If the board determines that the applicant meets all the necessary requirements, they will recommend certification. The certification becomes effective on January 1st following the board's decision.

This rigorous application process ensures that only highly qualified attorneys receive board certification in Family Relations Law, thereby maintaining high standards within the profession.

The Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) requires certified specialists in Family Relations Law to adhere to specific annual duties and follow a structured recertification process. These requirements ensure that certified attorneys maintain their expertise, stay current with developments in their field, and continue to meet the high standards of the certification.

Annual Reporting Duties

1. Annual Report Submission:

   • Affidavit or Reporting Form: Each year, certified attorneys must submit an affidavit or a designated reporting form to the OSBA. This form confirms that there have been no material changes in the information provided during the initial certification or any subsequent reports. If there have been changes, these must be detailed on the form.
   • Submission Period: The report must be submitted between October 1 and December 1 each year. This ensures that certified specialists remain compliant with the ongoing requirements and continue to meet the standards set by the OSBA.

2. Continuing Legal Education (CLE):

   • CLE Requirements: Certified attorneys are required to complete 12 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) in Family Relations Law every two years. These CLE courses must be intermediate to advanced and specifically related to Family Relations Law. This ongoing education helps ensure that attorneys remain current with the latest legal developments and maintain their expertise in the field.
   • Proof of CLE: The annual report must include proof of the completed CLE hours. Attorneys may need to attach transcripts or certificates of attendance for courses that are not listed on the OSBA transcript.

3. Annual Fee Payment:

   • Fee Submission: Along with the annual report, certified attorneys must pay an annual fee as established by the OSBA fee schedule. Failure to submit the annual report or pay the required fee by the deadline may result in decertification.

Recertification Process

1. Certification Period:

   • Duration: The certification is valid for six years. Certified attorneys must apply for recertification in the calendar year preceding the expiration of their current certification.

2. Recertification Application:

   • Application Submission: Attorneys seeking recertification must complete a recertification application form, which includes updated information about their practice and involvement in Family Relations Law. This form must be submitted to the OSBA between October 1 and December 1 of the year preceding the expiration of their certification.
   • Review Process: The OSBA Specialty Board reviews the recertification application to ensure that the attorney continues to meet the certification standards. If the application is not completed by December 31 of the recertification year, the attorney will be decertified and must reapply for certification under the original criteria, including passing the written examination.

3. Criteria for Recertification:

   • Continued Involvement: Attorneys must demonstrate that they have maintained substantial involvement in Family Relations Law, similar to the requirements for initial certification. However, they are not required to retake the written examination.
   • CLE Compliance: Attorneys must provide evidence of completing the required 12 hours of CLE every two years during the certification period.
   • Good Standing: Attorneys must continue to be in good standing with the Ohio Supreme Court and maintain professional liability insurance coverage.

4. Exemptions:

   • Illness or Disability: In cases of severe, prolonged illness or disability, attorneys may apply for an exemption from the recertification requirements. They must provide evidence that completing the requirements presents an extreme hardship due to their condition.

Decertification

1. Material Changes:

   • Review of Changes: The Specialty Board may decertify an attorney if material changes reported in the annual affidavit or discovered through other means indicate that the attorney no longer meets the certification standards.
   • Appeal Process: Attorneys who are decertified may request reconsideration and, if denied, appeal the decision to an Independent Review Panel.

2. Immediate Decertification:

   • License Revocation: If an attorney’s license to practice law in Ohio is revoked or suspended, their certification is automatically revoked. Upon reinstatement of their license, the attorney may reapply for certification.

These annual duties and recertification requirements ensure that certified specialists in Family Relations Law continue to uphold the highest standards of legal practice and remain current in their field.