Can A Georgia Lawyer Practice In Florida? Key Considerations

Is it possible for an attorney from another state to practice law in Florida? Yes, an attorney licensed in a state other than Florida can work within the state as Authorized House Counsel for a corporation. To do so, they must register in accordance with Chapter 17 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. However, it’s important to note that the scope of activities for Authorized House Counsel is somewhat restricted, and this role does not encompass appearing in court. Instead, these attorneys primarily engage in legal work related to the corporation they represent, such as advising on corporate matters and transactions, but they cannot actively litigate cases in Florida courts.

Is there reciprocity between the Florida Bar and the State Bar of Georgia? It’s important to clarify that when it comes to reciprocity for attorney admission, there are specific limitations to be aware of. Notably, California, Florida, and South Carolina do not have reciprocity agreements with Georgia. This means that if you are a licensed attorney in California, Florida, or South Carolina, you cannot simply seek admission to practice law in Georgia without taking the required examination. In such cases, admission to the Georgia Bar would typically necessitate fulfilling additional examination requirements, even if you hold a valid law license in one of these non-reciprocal jurisdictions.

Reciprocity with the Georgia bar allows attorneys from various states to gain admission to practice law in Georgia without having to take the state’s bar examination. Georgia extends this privilege to lawyers from a broad range of states. As of the latest available information, attorneys from the following states are eligible for reciprocity with the Georgia bar: Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), District of Columbia (DC), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), North Dakota (ND), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Utah (UT), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Virgin Islands (VI), Washington (WA), Wisconsin (WI), West Virginia (WV), and Wyoming (WY). This reciprocity facilitates legal professionals in these states seeking to practice law in Georgia without the added burden of taking the Georgia bar exam. Keep in mind that requirements and eligibility criteria for reciprocity may change over time, so it’s advisable to verify the latest information with the Georgia State Bar or relevant authorities.