Membership

To apply for membership in the Academy, a candidate must first have been admitted to the Bar for at least ten years and have concentrated at least seventy-five percent of his or her practice in matrimonial law. Candidates from states where family law is subject to certification must be certified as specialists.

There are two exceptions to the above requirements: 1) for attorneys who practice in geographical areas where the seventy-five percent of practice is not feasible, a fifty percent concentration in the area is acceptable; 2) for attorneys who devote ninety percent of their practice to matrimonial law, the ten-year practice requirement can be reduced to five years. Each candidate is personally interviewed by an admissions committee after information as the candidate's experience and ethics is solicited from members of the local Bench and Bar where the candidate practices. Each candidate must have substantial trial experience in matrimonial litigation with consideration given to the ability to achieve settlement without the necessity of trial. Each candidate must pass a written examination covering laws and procedures as they relate to the practice of family law. A candidate must also demonstrate the highest standing in his or her legal community for character and ethics.