Adoption Law Certification.

• Author: Kelley, Brian T.
• Position: Annual Reports of Committees of the Florida Bar: 2018-2019

The Adoption Law Certification Committee had a productive year in 2018-19. The committee continued its outreach to potential board certification applicants for this specialized area of law. The committee held its October meeting in conjunction with the Florida Adoption Council's conference in Orlando. The committee marked certification to the adoption attorneys in attendance at the conference and invited certified attorneys to apply for committee membership. The committee was pleased with the positive response. Additionally, with the assistance of our Bar staff liaison, the committee contacted all attorneys who report adoption as a practice area with The Florida Bar to encourage them to consider certification.

The committee met throughout the year by phone and in person to review applications for certification and to prepare the examination and model answers. Two applicants were approved to sit for the examination in March, and grading will be completed in April. The applicant review process includes a determination as to whether each applicant meets the highest standards of professionalism and ethics. This incorporates a comprehensive peer-review process. The committee wishes to express its sincere appreciation to the attorneys and judges who responded to requests for peer reviews and evidence of...