Supreme Court adopts FL military spouse rule.

The second time was the charm as the Bar's proposed rule to allow lawyer-spouses of military personnel stationed in Florida to practice law cleared Supreme Court muster on July 19.

The court approved creating Chapter 21 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar and also new Rule of the Supreme Court Relating to Admissions to the Bar 2-23.7. The changes allow the lawyer spouses of military personnel, if they meet several conditions, to practice in Florida for up to five years without taking the bar exam.

"It is our hope that the adoption of these new rules will assuage some of the hardships associated with service in the U.S. Armed

Services," the court said. "At a minimum, our adoption of these new rules gives form to the abiding gratitude we all share for the men and women who voluntarily serve in the U.S. Armed Services and the sacrifices endured by their families."

Vanessa Brice, chair of the Bar's Military Affairs Committee, which proposed the rule and whose husband is a retired Marine, praised the decision. She noted military spouses often coordinate moves for their families, finding new housing, schools, doctors, and other amenities and services.

"To then require a military spouse attorney to study and take the bar in Florida for what is likely only going to be three years places an unreasonable burden on that person," she said. "Study for the bar requires at least six months of dedicated time, and results take an additional three months. By the time all is said and done, it would be a year before the spouse could practice in the state. The expense of bar study courses and the bar exam itself make it unfeasible for the military spouse."

Karen Scanlan, who heads the national Military Spouse JD Network, a bar association for lawyers married to service members, said the rule approval is especially significant because Florida, which has several military bases from Key West to Pensacola, is home to around 55,000 service members. She estimated, though, that the rule will be used by only around five to 10 lawyers.

Florida becomes the 30th state, plus the Virgin Islands, to have a military spouse rule, Scanlan said, noting the effort in Florida began four years ago.

"The Bar has been amazing in its support of this initiative, keeping the dialogue open between their efforts and our efforts," she said.

Karlyn Boler, the MSJDN's Florida director, said, "This rule will have a profound and long-lasting effect on those military families who receive...