Family Law Board Certification by the Indiana State Bar Association

The Indiana State Bar Association has established comprehensive standards for attorneys seeking board certification in Family Law to ensure that certified specialists demonstrate significant expertise, experience, and professionalism in this complex area of practice. Below is an overview of the key requirements:

1. Active Bar Membership

• Eligibility: Applicants must be active members in good standing of the Indiana State Bar Association 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 be dedicated to Family Law.
• Specialization Focus: Specifically, during 48 of the 60 months immediately preceding the application, the applicant must have focused their practice on family law matters. This includes divorce, child custody, child support, property division, adoption, and domestic violence cases, as well as representing clients in family courts and mediations.

3. Continuing Legal Education (CLE)

• CLE Requirements: Applicants must complete at least 18 hours of CLE in Family Law within the year of application. These CLE credits must be approved by the Indiana State Bar Association or a recognized accrediting body.

4. Professional References

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

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 Family Law. This ensures that only attorneys with a deep understanding of family law achieve certification.

7. Certification Duration and Recertification

• Five-Year Certification: Certification as a Family Law Specialist is valid for five years. During this time, certified specialists must continue to meet all 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 Family Law, ongoing CLE, and insurance coverage.

These standards ensure that attorneys certified as specialists in Family Law by the Indiana State Bar Association are highly qualified, ethical, and dedicated professionals capable of handling complex family law matters with the highest level of competence.

The application process for Board Certification in Family Law by the Indiana State Bar Association involves several detailed steps:

1. Eligibility and Bar Membership

• Active Membership: Applicants must be active members in good standing with the Indiana State Bar Association.

2. Experience and Practice Focus

• Minimum Practice Requirement: Applicants must have at least five years of full-time legal practice, with at least 35% of their practice dedicated to Family Law during 48 of the 60 months preceding the application year.
• Scope of Practice: This includes handling legal matters related to divorce, child custody, child support, property division, adoption, domestic violence, and other family law cases.

3. Continuing Legal Education (CLE)

• CLE Requirements: Applicants must complete a minimum of 18 hours of specialized CLE in Family Law within the application year.
• Approval of Credits: All CLE credits must be approved by the Indiana State Bar Association or an appropriate accrediting body. CLE credits earned in prior 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 Family Law.
• Specialist Endorsement: At least one reference must come from a Board-Certified Family Law Specialist, if available. These references validate the applicant’s expertise and professional reputation.

5. Professional Liability Insurance

• Insurance Requirement: Applicants must maintain professional liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $1,000,000.
• Proof of Coverage: Proof of insurance must be submitted with the application, and the insurance provider must be acceptable to the Indiana State Bar Association.

6. Written Examination

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

7. Confidential Inquiry and Final Submission

• Confidential Inquiry: Applicants must consent to a confidential inquiry conducted by the Indiana State Bar Association, which includes contacting the provided references and potentially other relevant individuals to assess the applicant’s competence and ethical standards.
• Final Submission: Once all requirements, including CLE, reference submission, and passing the examination, are completed, the final application must be submitted to the Indiana State Bar Association for review.

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

Maintaining certification as a Family Law specialist through the Indiana State Bar Association requires ongoing dedication 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 Association. Failure to meet these obligations can lead to decertification, ensuring that only those who consistently uphold the highest standards in Family Law retain their certification.

Annual Duties

1. Continuing Legal Education (CLE):

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

Recertification

1. Five-Year Recertification Cycle:

   • Certified specialists must apply for recertification every five years. This 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 Family 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 Family Law.

2. Review Process:

   • If a specialist does not meet the requirements, the Indiana State Bar Association 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 Family Law specialists maintain their expertise, professionalism, and adherence to the high standards required in this specialized field of law.