Taxation Law Board Certification by the South Carolina Supreme Court

The South Carolina Supreme Court Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization has established comprehensive standards for attorneys seeking certification in Taxation Law. These standards ensure that certified specialists demonstrate significant expertise, experience, and professionalism in this complex field. Below is an overview of the key requirements:

1. Active Bar Membership

• Eligibility: Applicants must be active members in good standing with the South Carolina Bar at the time of application.

2. Experience and Practice Focus

• Minimum Practice Requirement: Applicants must have at least five years of full-time legal practice immediately preceding their application. During this time, at least 35% of their practice must focus on Taxation Law.
• Specialization Focus: Specifically, during 48 of the 60 months immediately preceding the application, the applicant must have practiced law primarily in the field of Taxation Law. This includes handling matters related to the Internal Revenue Code, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), state and local taxes, foreign taxes, and representing clients in related state and federal courts or administrative agencies.

3. Continuing Legal Education (CLE)

• CLE Requirements: Applicants must complete at least 18 hours of CLE in Taxation Law within the year of application. These CLE credits must be approved by the South Carolina Commission on CLE and Specialization.

4. Professional References

• Reference Submission: Applicants must provide at least five reference statements from practicing attorneys who can attest to their competence in Taxation Law. At least one of these references must come from a Board-Certified Taxation Law Specialist, if available.

5. Professional Liability Insurance

• Insurance Coverage: Applicants must maintain professional liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $1,000,000. Proof of this insurance must be submitted with the application.

6. Written Examination

• Examination: Applicants must pass a written examination that evaluates their knowledge and proficiency in Taxation Law. This examination ensures that only those with a deep understanding of the field achieve certification.

7. Certification Duration and Recertification

• Five-Year Certification: Certification as a Taxation Law Specialist is valid for five years. During this period, certified specialists must continue to meet maintenance requirements, including annual CLE and professional liability insurance.
• Recertification Process: Every five years, specialists must apply for recertification, demonstrating continued compliance with certification standards. This includes verifying continued practice focus in Taxation Law, ongoing CLE, and insurance coverage.

These standards ensure that attorneys certified in Taxation Law by the South Carolina Supreme Court Commission on CLE and Specialization are highly qualified, ethical, and dedicated professionals capable of handling complex tax-related legal matters with the highest level of competence.

The application process for Board Certification in Taxation Law by the South Carolina Supreme Court Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization involves several detailed steps:

1. Eligibility and Bar Membership

• Active Membership: Ensure that you are an active member in good standing with the South Carolina Bar.

2. Experience and Practice Focus

• Minimum Practice Requirement: Applicants must have at least five years of full-time legal practice, with a focus on Taxation Law comprising at least 35% of their practice during 48 of the 60 months preceding the application year.
• Scope of Practice: This includes handling legal matters under the Internal Revenue Code, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), state and local taxes, and foreign taxes, as well as representing clients in tax disputes and regulatory compliance.

3. Continuing Legal Education (CLE)

• CLE Requirements: Complete a minimum of 18 hours of specialized CLE in Taxation Law within the application year.
• Approval of Credits: All CLE credits must be approved by the South Carolina Commission on CLE and Specialization. CLE credits earned in previous years cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.

4. Professional References

• Reference Submission: Applicants must submit at least five reference statements from practicing attorneys who can attest to their competence in Taxation Law.
• Specialist Endorsement: At least one reference must come from a Board-Certified Taxation Law Specialist, if available. These references validate the applicant’s expertise and professional reputation in the field.

5. Professional Liability Insurance

• Insurance Requirement: Applicants must maintain professional liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $1,000,000.
• Proof of Coverage: The insurance policy must be from a provider acceptable to the Commission, and proof of coverage must be submitted with the application.

6. Written Examination

• Examination: Applicants are required to pass a written examination designed to assess their knowledge and expertise in various areas of Taxation Law.
• Purpose: This examination ensures that applicants possess a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in Taxation Law practice.

7. Confidential Inquiry and Final Submission

• Confidential Inquiry: Applicants must consent to a confidential inquiry conducted by the Commission, which includes contacting the provided references and possibly other relevant individuals to assess the applicant’s competence and ethical standards.
• Final Submission: Once all requirements are completed, including CLE, reference submission, and passing the examination, the final application must be submitted to the South Carolina Supreme Court Commission on CLE and Specialization for review.

This thorough application process ensures that only highly qualified and experienced attorneys receive certification in Taxation Law, signifying their expertise and dedication to this specialized area of legal practice.

Maintaining certification as a Taxation Law specialist through the South Carolina Supreme Court Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization requires ongoing commitment to professional standards and continuous education. Certified specialists must fulfill specific annual duties, undergo a recertification process every five years, and adhere to the requirements set by the Commission. Failure to meet these obligations can lead to decertification, ensuring that only those who consistently uphold the highest standards in Taxation Law retain their certification.

Annual Duties

1. Continuing Legal Education (CLE):

   • Certified specialists must complete at least 18 hours of approved CLE in Taxation Law each year.
   • Up to eight excess hours can be carried forward to the next year to meet future requirements.

2. Professional Liability Insurance:

   • Specialists must maintain professional liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $1,000,000 and provide proof of coverage annually.

3. Active Practice Certification:

   • Specialists must annually certify that they are engaged in full-time legal practice, with at least 35% of their work dedicated to Taxation Law.

Recertification

1. Five-Year Recertification Cycle:

   • Certified specialists must apply for recertification every five years. This process ensures continued compliance with all certification standards.

2. Application Submission:

   • The recertification application must confirm that the specialist has:
     • Maintained at least 35% of their full-time practice in Taxation Law over the past five years.
     • Completed the required CLE hours and maintained professional liability insurance during the certification period.

Decertification

1. Grounds for Decertification:

   • Certification may be revoked for failure to comply with annual duties, such as:
     • Not meeting CLE requirements.
     • Failing to maintain professional liability insurance.
     • Not adhering to the required practice focus in Taxation Law.

2. Review Process:

   • If a specialist does not meet the requirements, the Commission may initiate a review process.
   • The specialist will be notified of potential decertification and may have the opportunity to appeal the decision.

These procedures ensure that certified Taxation Law specialists maintain their expertise, professionalism, and commitment to the high standards required in this specialized field of law.