Texas Board of Law Examiners

Foreign Legal Consultant Certification

All foreign-educated attorneys are encouraged to provide complete contact information for their licensing and educational entities. This information should include the name of the entity, its mailing address, phone number, fax number, website and email address. A street address should also be provided if it is different from the mailing address.  Country codes should be provided with phone/fax numbers.

These attorneys are also encouraged to provide fax numbers, websites, and email addresses for the employers from whom they are seeking credit towards the practice requirements found in Rule XIII.

This information will need to be provided in a separate letter that accompanies the Application.
 

Read Rule XIV of the current Rules Governing Admission to the Bar of Texas, and the applicable statutory provisions found in Texas Government Code, Sec. 82.001 et seq., all of which are contained in the Board of Law Examiners’ (Board) rulebook before submitting the Application For Foreign Legal Consultant  (FLC) Certification. We also suggest reading the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, set forth in Article X, Section 9 of the State Bar Rules, posted on the Internet at www.txethics.org/reference_rules.asp.

Although it is each applicant's responsibility to be familiar with all of the Rules Governing Admission to the Bar of Texas, you may wish to start with the following links:

· Rule I (Definitions and General Provisions)
· Rule II (General Eligibility Requirements for Admission to the Texas Bar)
· Rule XIV (Foreign Legal Consultants)
· Rule XVIII (Fees)
· Special Notice Regarding Rule XIV Documentation

1. If you meet the requirements of Rule XIV, download and complete the Foreign Legal Consultant Application. Carefully read the instructions on the application form prior to submitting your application. Use the Foreign Legal Consultant Application only if you are applying for Certification of Registration as a FLC under Rule XIV.

In order to download the Application, you will need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your PC. If you do not, or need to update to the most current version of Adobe (Version 6.0), click on the icon, “Get Acrobat Reader”, at the end of this page to go to Adobe's download site. This is a free download. If you are using an older version of Adobe, you may be unable to use this form. We suggest you download and install the new version of Adobe using the icon below, and then try to open the Application form.



2. Filing Fees: Make your check, money order, or bank cashier’s check payable in the full amount due to the BOARD OF LAW EXAMINERS (NOT to the State Bar of Texas). The filing fee is $990.00. Do not postdate your check. An application is not considered filed until all fees are received in the Board’s office. If your personal check for fees is returned for insufficient funds or is otherwise dishonored by your bank, you will be assessed a returned check charge. All fees due after that time must be paid by bank cashier’s check or money order. There is no refund of fees if you withdraw your application or do not meet all requirements for admission.

Before you file your application for FLC certification, verify that you have fully answered all questions on the forms and have included all required documentation. Your application form will not be considered filed and may be returned to you if it is incomplete. Examples of incompleteness include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. failure to provide any information required, including names, complete addresses, telephone numbers, and/or zip codes;
2. failure to answer any question or subquestion;
3. failure to provide a separate Continuation Form, Civil Litigation Form, and/or Criminal History Form for each response requiring one;
4. failure to send in the required fees;
5. failure to send the required photograph;
6. any signature notarized more than 90 days prior to the date received by the Board;
7. alteration of any language of the Application, Affidavit, Authorization and Release, or other required form;
8. failure to sign any document requiring your signature and/or failure to have your signature notarized where required;
9. failure to obtain information for sponsoring Texas attorney as required on the application; or
10. failure to have the sponsoring Texas attorney’s signature notarized.

3. Filing of Application: Mail or deliver your application and required fees to the Board as follows:

The Board will acknowledge receipt of your application within 30 days. If you do not receive such an acknowledgment by that time, please contact the Board’s office.

Application for Renewal for Foreign Legal Consultant Certification

Review  Rule XIV.

Pursuant to Rule XIV, the Foreign Legal Consultant certification is valid for one year, and is renewable upon the filing with the Board of an annual request, which shall be accompanied by:

1. Payment of the annual renewal fee;
2. Evidence satisfactory to the Board reflecting the completion of three hours of Texas Mandatory Continuing Legal Education approved ethics programs; and
3. Such evidence as the Board shall deem necessary that the requirements for the original certification continue to be met.

As stated in Rule XVIII(a), the fee to renew a Foreign Legal Consultant Certification alternates between $150.00 and $300.00 with every other renewal application.

With your application for renewal, you must attach the required documentation as outlined on the Special Notice Regarding Rule XIV Documentation and proof that you have completed three (3) hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) in ethics programs approved by The State Bar of Texas Committee on Minimum Continuing Legal Education. CLE reporting forms are found at www.texasbarcle.com. You and the sponsor of the CLE course must complete such forms. The completed form must be attached to your application for renewal. If you do not attach the properly completed form verifying that you have completed the three (3) hours of approved ethics CLE programs, your application for renewal will be returned to you unprocessed.

See the State Bar of Texas Continuing Legal Education website and the Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism website for courses and events.

1. Download and complete the Foreign Legal Consultant Renewal Application.  Use the Foreign Legal Consultant Renewal Application only if you are currently a Foreign Legal Consultant seeking to renew your certification. Carefully read the instructions on the application form prior to submitting your application for renewal.

2. Filing Fees: Make your check, money order, or bank cashier’s check payable in the full amount due to the BOARD OF LAW EXAMINERS (NOT to the State Bar of Texas).  As stated in Rule XVIII(a), the fee to renew a Foreign Legal Consultant Certification alternates between $150.00 and $300.00 with every other renewal application. If you are uncertain of the correct filing fee, please contact your Licensure Analyst.

Before you file your application for renewal, verify that you have fully answered all questions on the forms and have included all required documentation. Your renewal form will not be considered filed and may be returned to you if it is incomplete. Examples of incompleteness include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. failure to provide any information required, including names, complete addresses, telephone numbers, and/or zip codes;
2. failure to respond to any item, question, or statement;
3. failure to provide a separate Continuation Form, Civil Litigation Form, and/or Criminal History Form for each response requiring one;
4. failure to send in the required fees;
5. failure to send the required photograph;
6. any signature notarized more than 90 days prior to the date received by the Board;
7. alteration of any language in the Renewal form, Affidavit, Authorization and Release, or other required form;
8. failure to sign any document requiring your signature and/or failure to have your signature notarized where required;
9. failure to obtain information for sponsoring Texas attorney as required on the application;
10. failure to have the sponsoring Texas attorney’s signature notarized; or
11. failure to include proof that you have completed three (3) hours of Texas mandatory Continuing Legal Education approved ethics program.

3. Filing of Application: Mail or deliver your application and required fees to the Board at the above address. The Board will acknowledge receipt of your application within 30 days. If you do not receive such an acknowledgment by that time, please contact the Board’s office.

  since December 14, 2005

Last modified  July 20, 2011 02:18 PM

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Questions about the bar admission process should be directed to information@ble.state.tx.us