§ Rule 17-1.4 Registration

Codes > Florida Statutes > Rules Regulating > Chapter 17 : 17-1 Generally > Rule 17-1.4

Rule 17-1.4. Registration

    (a) Filing with The Florida Bar. The following shall be filed with The Florida Bar by an individual seeking to be certified as authorized house counsel:

        (1) A certificate from an entity governing the practice of law in all United States jurisdictions in which the registrant is licensed to practice law certifying that the registrant is in active status and is a member in good standing; or is in inactive status. If in inactive status, the certificate must certify that the registrant is in voluntary inactive status and was not placed on inactive status involuntarily. If available, the registrant must provide a certificate of good standing in addition to the certificate regarding the registrant's inactive status.

        (2) a sworn statement by the registrant that the registrant:

            (A) has read and is familiar with chapters 4 and 17 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar as adopted by the Supreme Court of Florida and will abide by the provisions thereof;

            (B) submits to the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Florida for disciplinary purposes, as defined in chapter 3 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar and rule 17-1.6 herein, and authorizes notification to or from the entity governing the practice of law of each state, territory, or the District of Columbia in which the registrant is licensed to practice law of any disciplinary action taken against the registrant; and

            (C) is not subject to a disciplinary proceeding or outstanding order of reprimand, censure, or disbarment, permanent or temporary, for professional misconduct by the bar or courts of any jurisdiction and has not been permanently denied admission to practice before the bar of any jurisdiction based upon such person's character or fitness;

        (3) a certificate from a business organization certifying that: it is qualified as set forth in subdivision (b) of rule 17-1.2; that it is aware that the registrant is not licensed to practice in Florida; and it is not relying upon The Florida Bar in any manner in employing the authorized house counsel;

        (4) an appropriate registration application to The Florida Bar as promulgated by the executive director of The Florida Bar; and

        (5) an appropriate remittance of a filing fee prescribed and set by the executive director of The Florida Bar in an amount not to exceed the amount applicable for admission to the bar examination for an attorney licensed in a state other than Florida.

    (b) Review by The Florida Bar. Upon receipt of the items set forth in subdivision (a) of this rule, The Florida Bar shall review the items for compliance with this chapter. Any application not meeting the requirements of this chapter shall be sent back to the applicant.

    (c) Certification by Court. Upon review of the application by The Florida Bar, The Florida Bar shall file with the clerk of the Supreme Court of Florida the name and address of those registrants complying with the provisions of subdivision (a) of this rule along with a request that the registrant be certified as authorized house counsel. Permission for authorized house counsel to perform services under this rule shall become effective upon approval of the request for certification by the clerk of the Supreme Court of Florida for a person employed in Florida or, if the registrant is not yet in Florida, the effective date of employment but not later than 6 months from the filing of the items set forth above.

    (d) Annual Renewal. The registration pursuant to this section shall be annual in a manner consistent with that applicable to an attorney licensed to practice in the state of Florida including the annual fee therefor as if such authorized house counsel was so licensed, provided, however, such renewal shall include a statement that the registrant, if on active status, is in good standing in all states or United States territories in which licensed and is not subject to any disciplinary proceedings.

    (e) Duty to Update. Should an individual certified as an authorized house counsel choose inactive status in 1 or more United States jurisdictions after certification, the authorized house counsel shall provide a certificate as required by subdivision (a)(1) of this rule.